Helping communities find the federal funding they need.

ID State EditionThe FundBook

June 2011

www.fundbook.orgp.� ~ The Fundbook - ID | June �011

The View from Idaho StateIn 2010, Idaho companies exported a near-re-

cord of $5.2 billion worth of products worldwide. Idaho’s first quarter 2011 exports hit $1.5 billion, 25 percent over the first quarter of 2010 and the strongest quarter since the state began tracking these dollars in 1996. Export leaders included semiconductors, agricultural commodities, indus-trial machinery and capital goods, fertilizers and mined minerals. The nearly 25 percent growth in exports is outperforming the national average by more than 7 percent, compared with the previous year.

International business is an essential part of Idaho’s economy. The Idaho Department of Com-merce’s International Business Division’s goal is to identify prospects for Idaho products and services in international markets. Their customized servic-es help companies capitalize on these opportuni-ties by offering export/import counseling, market research, coordination of trade missions and trade shows. Incoming purchasing delegations and Ida-ho’s trade offices in three foreign countries are also supported. Learn more at http://goo.gl/FHljv

The overall strength of exports for Idaho can be seen through a kaleidoscope of benefits:

• Companies that export grow faster and are 8.5 percent less likely to go out of business. • The world’s purchasing power is 70 per-

cent outside of the United States. • Export related jobs typically pay 15 percent

more than the average. • International sales allow companies to di-

versify and reduce risk. • Powerful economic development happens

when dollars flow in from out of state rather than from within the state.• International sales volumes may produce

decreased production costs and increase a company’s competitive advantage.

• Idaho’s and the USA’s competitiveness is enhanced worldwide

• 95 percent of the world’s consumers live outside of the United States.

• Free trade agreements are opening up new markets in Australia, Chile, Singapore, Jordan, Israel, Canada, Mexico, and Cen-tral America creating new opportunities for proactive Idaho companies.

Should small business consider

exporting?

Many believe that exporting is only for big busi-nesses. In fact, 97 percent of US exports are from small to medium sized businesses. Many also be-lieve that exporting is too complicated for a small business to explore. However, with a commitment of time, higher-level support, and patience, a small company has an excellent chance of succeeding in the world market. There are resources for making the leap onto the world business stage. The trade experts at the Idaho Department of Commerce will help guide and assist you in making exports a successful part of your business.

Is exporting for you?

Resources for local and county policy makers, economic development organizations and small business

Building your international export company FAQ and resources: http://goo.gl/OYgaV

Export Readiness Questionnaire: http://goo.gl/DOMYz

International Business ContactsIdaho Trade Specialists are available to help com-

panies export products and expand market share by providing personalized on-site counseling and support. In addition to staff consultations, manag-ers from Idaho’s international offices visit the state each year and offer country-specific guidance and direction to individual companies. Contact them at http://goo.gl/28bhP

Bright StarGrant Consultants, Inc.810 Victorian Dr, Coeur d’ Alene, ID, 83814(208) 964-0402janet@brightstarconsultants.comwww.brightstarconsultants.com

Bright Star Grant Consultants is a full service capacity building firm.Supporting government agencies, non-profits, and universities with:• Fund, resource, and program development • Strategy and expansion • Assessment and evaluation • Training and Coaching

Sample ConsultationFeasibility Study: Preliminary Non-Traditional Grant Funding Strategy: City of Pinehurst, IdahoRole: Research and development of deliverable documentation that included non-traditional grant seeking strategies, organizational readiness evaluation, readiness task list, strategic alliances profiles, and recommendations.

Bright Star Grant Consultants worked carefully to understand the needs of our projects and community and provided creative funding opportunities that will expand the reach of our projects and increase our sustainability.

- Principal, Terra Graphics Engineering (www.tgenviro.com) http://www.facebook.com/brightstargrants

Grants are the cornerstone of building a diversified funding portfolio

http://goo.gl/jv0vchttp://goo.gl/jv0vchttp://goo.gl/jv0vchttp://goo.gl/jv0vchttp://goo.gl/jv0vchttp://goo.gl/jv0vc

www.fundbook.orgp.� ~ The Fundbook - ID | June �011

Grant Writing on the EdgeAdvanced grant writing tools and tips for government entities, schools and non-profits.

Before looking for grants to support small business exports, investigate finance options for your business to secure a match, increase your leverage, and sharpen your business plan. Many options are available depending on the annual sales, international market, type of financing structure and financial institution. International Trade Specialists are available through the Idaho Department of Commerce to identify the best op-tions for your business and connect you with the appropriate lenders, brokers and financing pro-fessionals.

U.S. Department of Agriculture options con-sult the Foreign Agricultural Services financing programs at http://goo.gl/Hy8o4

Export-Import Bank of the United States

• If you need working capital above $1.1 Mil-lion, then consider Ex-Im Bank’s working capital guarantee program. It enables U.S. exporters to obtain loans to produce or buy goods or services for export. These working capital loans, made by commercial lenders (see http://goo.gl/n8dx6 ) and backed by guarantee, provide you with the liquidity to accept new business, grow your in-ternational sales and compete more effectively in the international marketplace.

• If your foreign customer needs financing, then consider Ex-Im Bank’s loan guarantee for international buyers. With it, international buy-ers are able to obtain competitive term financing from lenders when financing is otherwise not available or there are no economically viable in-terest rates on terms over one-to-two years

• If your foreign customer needs fixed rate fi-nancing to purchase U.S. goods and services, then consider Ex-Im Bank’s Direct Loan program. This loan to an international buyer is generally used

for financing purchases of U.S. capital equipment and services, and exports to large-scale projects.

• If your foreign customer of U.S. capital goods prefers lease financing as an alternative to traditional installment loans, then you should consider Ex-Im Bank’s Finance Lease Guarantee program. Ex-Im Bank will guarantee lease financ-ing to creditworthy international lessees, both private and public sector, when financing is oth-erwise not available or applicable interest rates are not economically viable. Go to the Export-Import Bank website here: http://goo.gl/0pkNr

Small Business Administration options

• If you need working capital up to the $2.0 Million level, then consider SBA’s Export Work-ing Capital Program. It provides short-term, transaction-specific financing to small business exporters. Exporters may use this program for pre-export financing of labor and materials and post-shipment financing of the accounts receiv-able generated from these overseas sales.

• If you need to finance your export-related production activities, then consider SBA’s Export Express loan program. It helps small businesses that have exporting potential, but need funds to buy or produce goods, and to provide services, for export. For more information, go here: http://goo.gl/3X5N4

• If you need to upgrade your facilities to be more competitive then consider the SBA’s Inter-national Trade Loan Program. It helps small busi-nesses seeking to expand their operations or help those adversely affected by competition from im-ports. Go here http://goo.gl/Gdzkc for the pro-gram or here http://goo.gl/B0jDi for the Small Business Administration website.

www.fundbook.org June �011 | The Fundbook - ID ~ p.�

This article was contributed by Janet Bourque of Bright Star Grant Consultants. Bright Star is very knowledgable of the grants and funding territory in ID and works with local governments and non-profits on grants-related services and capacity building there.

Notes From the Field

Innovative exports from Idaho can be seen through the example of PCS Edventures. PCS spans the globe with presence in all 50 United States and 13 countries worldwide. Originally started in the garage of a school teacher in a small rural town in Idaho, products and ser-vices bring a unique approach to education to the entire spectrum of users from Preschool through Higher Education. Product lines range from hands-on learning labs in technol-ogy-rich subjects like engineering, science, math, robotics, IT, and electronics to admin-istrative tools designed to help schools man-age the enormous amounts of data required in day-to-day school administration. Learn more: http://goo.gl/wDhL3

Ground Force Manufacturing is located in Post Falls and began working with the US Commercial Service for assistance in in-creasing their international sales in 2004. To accomplish their goal, Ground Force partici-pated in trade shows in China and Chile with the Idaho Department of Commerce. They also participated in trade missions with the Governor to Mexico and Asia, and personal-ly met with distributors in various markets to ensure maximum visibility. As a direct re-sult of exporting, Ground Force Manufactur-ing has created new jobs for their company. Ground Force Manufacturing designs and manufactures a wide variety of heavy-duty truck bodies and accessory equipment pri-marily for the mining industry. Learn more here: http://goo.gl/qROuG

www.fundbook.orgp.� ~ The Fundbook - ID | June �011

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