How this program helps Utah businesses open international markets

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah companies engaging in international export business are set to get a boost from a new funding package from the U.S. Small Business Administration that aims to provide grant allocations to help operators expand their markets through new training, travel and access opportunities.

On Thursday, World Trade Center Utah and the SBA announced the state was awarded $743,000 through the federal agency's State Trade Expansion Program. STEP funding can be used in various activities, according to the announcement, including attending international trade shows and missions, designing marketing materials for foreign audiences, accessing U.S. Department of Commerce services, covering travel expenses for global sales trips and participating in export training workshops.

WTC Utah President/CEO Jonathan Freedman told the Deseret News this round of STEP funding is up 42% from last year's allocation thanks to Utah businesses making great use of previous grants.

"I'm really proud of this year's funding increase," he said. "I believe it reflects SBA's confidence that we distribute funds judiciously and Utah companies have established a track record of investing their grants wisely."

SBA's Utah District director, Marla Trollan, said the ongoing partnership with WTC Utah on allocating STEP funds has proven a success when it comes to creating new opportunities for Utah businesses in the international marketplace.

"Our collaboration has proven invaluable in helping small businesses navigate the complexities of exporting, and this additional funding will build on that work by creating more opportunities for growth and success," Trollan said in a statement. "Together, the SBA Utah District Office and World Trade Center Utah remain committed to helping local businesses compete and thrive in international markets."

Utah's export sector worth over $22 billion

Previous iterations of STEP funding have already helped Utah export businesses gain traction in new markets, including luggage and clothing retailer Nomatic, which reports it used its grant to connect with a major buyer and potential customers in Australia.

"The STEP grant allowed us to close a huge opportunity that we've been struggling to make happen," Lucas Maughan, Nomatic's director of international revenue, said in a statement. "We left the visit with contracts signed and several commitments from individual store owners to bring in our products. The new business added should generate upwards of $600,000 in annual revenue each year."

Last year, Utah businesses exported some $22.4 billion in goods to almost 200 countries, according to a report from the University of Utah's Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. The export volume supported over 73,000 jobs in the state and contributed $9.2 billion, nearly 3%, to the state's 2025 GDP and supports 3% of overall jobs in Utah.

The UK is the state's biggest trading partner by a wide margin, receiving $10.8 billion of Utah's 2025 exports, most of which consisted of unwrought gold. Other major recipients of Utah exports include Mexico, Canada, China and Ireland. Other major Utah export goods include computer and electronic products, which generated $3.3 billion export value last year followed by transportation equipment at $1.5 billion.

While Utah's 2025 export volume, by value, outpaced 2024 exports by $300 million, a 1.4% increase, the state's exports were 10.7% lower last year than in 2015 after adjusting for inflation. Over that period, Utah gold exports declined by 46.1% while non-gold exports grew by over 45%. By contrast, overall U.S. export volume grew by 20.2% over the same 10-year span.

STEP grant applications are now open to Utah companies. Visit wtcutah.com/grants to learn more. For inquiries regarding eligibility or accepted activities, contact Christine Rafiekian at grants@wtcutah.com.

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