SBA US Small Business Administration (SBA
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and its nationwide network of resource partners can assist you with export counseling, training, and financing. SBA also has trade finance managers co-located with several U.S. Commercial Service offices. In addition, you can find out more about exporting through:
SBA District Offices (http://www.1.usa.gov/1vCIcb0) The SBA has district offices that are staffed by specialists in small business development in every state and territory. District International Trade Officers (DITOs) located in all 68 district offices can help small businesses succeed in exporting by connecting them with appropriate local resources.
U.S. Commercial Service Offices (http://www.1.usa.gov/1tACR7m) SBA has trade finance managers co-located with U.S. Commercial Service staff in several U.S. Commercial Service offices throughout the country. These individuals can advise businesses on trade financing options to support their export sales, including how to structure international payments, mitigate foreign commercial risk, and obtain the working capital necessary to complete export orders.
Small Business Development Centers (http://www.1.usa.gov/1obQitC) The nearly 1,000 Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) nationwide provide a full range of export assistance services to small businesses, particularly those new to exporting. They offer counseling, training, managerial support, and export planning. Counseling services are provided at no cost to the small business exporter, but nominal fees are generally charged for export training seminars and other SBDC-sponsored export events. As specialists in business planning, your local SBDC can help you create your own export strategy, which includes tapping into other local resources such as the U.S. Commercial Service.