As a coastal state with one of the first port facilities in the nation, trade has always been an important component of South Carolina's economy. From the 18th and 19th centuries, when South Carolina exported a great deal of rice, indigo and cotton to Europe, to today, as a national leader in the export of complex items, such as cars and planes, international trade is part of our identity as a state and critical toward ensuring future economic prosperity.
Recognizing this, S.C. Commerce offers an export incentives program to assist small and medium-sized businesses as they seek to expand their reach to marketplaces all over the world. Earlier this year, this initiative received federal support as South Carolina, for the sixth time, was awarded with a State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration. To find out how your company can get involved, take advantage of some of this grant funding and begin selling products to new markets overseas, click here.