American Samoa along with all states and territories is eligible to apply for the State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Application period opened Apr. 21 and closes May 20 and the grant will be awarded on a competitive basis.

The STEP initiative’s objectives are to increase the number of small businesses that begin to export and increase the value of exports for small businesses that currently export, according to SBA.

Maria Contreras-Sweet, Administrator of the SBA says exporting provides tremendous opportunities for America's small businesses that are looking to expand and grow.

SBA says a state/territory may not submit more than one application for a STEP grant and should support the following export related activities: participation in foreign trade missions, foreign market sales trips, subscription services provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce, design of international marketing campaigns, export trade show exhibits, training workshops or other export initiatives that are in line with the objectives of the pilot program.

American Samoa Visitors Bureau is the current local recipient for the STEP grant totaling $246,671 that will strengthen the capacity of local tourism industry members with training to equip them with partnering skills in international travel trade, and to support American Samoa’s international travel partners to develop and promote consumer holiday packages from New Zealand, Australia and Samoa.

These partnering initiatives will endeavor to develop holiday packages and promote the destination in an effort to generate new tourist visitors, according to SBA brief description of the local project, which is already implemented by the Visitors Bureau.