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State of Illinois to Host Regional Export Seminars for Small Business Owners


SPRINGFIELD–(ENEWSPF)–December 10, 2012. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Office of Trade and Investment (OTI) in cooperation with the Illinois International Trade Centers will host a series of export seminars for small business owners who are interested in growing their exports or in entering the export market.  The seminars will feature information on DCEO-OTI’s State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grant program that provides financial and technical export assistance to Illinois small and medium-sized enterprises.  The STEP program is a three-year pilot program initiative authorized by the federal Small Business Jobs Act of 2010.  DCEO-OTI’s STEP program focuses on providing SMEs with financial and technical export assistance.  Representatives from local, state and federal governments will present information on Illinois’ STEP and other Export programs that are available to help small businesses succeed in the international marketplace.  

Expanding global trade partnerships is critical to Illinois’ continued economic recovery. Illinois ranks first in the Midwest for exports and foreign direct investment. The state’s exports totaled over $64.8 billion in 2011, a 29.5 percent increase over 2010.

The dates, times and locations of the free seminars are as follows:

Tuesday, December 11, 2012 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Elgin Community College, Bldg E Room 100.01
University and Business Center
1700 Spartan Drive
Elgin, IL 60123
To register, call 847-214-7488

Thursday, December 13, 2012 from 2 to 3 p.m.
Bradley University Online Seminar
To register, visit Exports.Illinois.gov and click on the “Upcoming Export Seminars” tab.

Friday, December 14, 2012 from 8 to 9 a.m.
NIU – Rockford
8500 E. State St.
Rockford, IL 61108
To register, visit Exports.Illinois.gov and click on the “Upcoming Export Seminars” tab.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
200 E. Randolph Street, Suite 2200
Chicago, IL 60601
To register, visit Exports.Illinois.gov and click on the “Upcoming Export Seminars” tab

Thursday, January 17, 2013 from 9 to 11:00 am
Governor’s State University
Hall of Honors, One University Parkway
University Park, Illinois 60484
To register, visit Exports.illinois.gov and click on the “Upcoming Export Seminars” tab

Wednesday, January 23, 2013 from 10:30 am – 1:00 pm
Centralia Tech Center
For more information, please contact Robyn Russell at 618-536-2424

Source: illinois.gov


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