Global Markets Division
The Ohio Department of Development’s Global Markets Division can make the transition into the international market easier. The offices of this department division are located around the world which can help business get the introductions they need and into trade shows they might not have thought of. The professionals of the Global Market’s Division can provide you with the information and advice you need to make the decision to go global. For more information about this department and what it can do for you, please refer to the
Global Markets Division PDF.
Ohio International Market Access Grant for Exporters (IMAGE)
The IMAGE program is funded by the State of Ohio and the U.S. Small Business Administration as part of the National Export Initiative to double U.S. exports by 2015. The program is designed to help small companies promote their products and services internationally and thereby increase exports and create jobs. IMAGE funds will reimburse companies for 50% of their qualifying expenditures up to a maximum of $6,000 for activities associated with international marketing initiatives. Click here to visit the program website for more information and a program application.
Global Agricultural Trade Program
Home to more than 77,000 farms, Ohio flourishes because of the strong agricultural industry, which employs one in six Ohioans. The food and agriculture industry provides more than $79 billion to the state's economy, making agriculture a critical industry to the State of Ohio.
Ohio is a leading food exporter, ranking 13th among all states and exporting more than $2.6 billion in agricultural products in 2009. Ohio exports a wide range of agricultural products from processed food and food ingredients to hardwoods, fruits, vegetables, seeds, plants, food grains, animal feed, and livestock genetics.
The Ohio Department of Development’s Global Markets Division’s Global Agricultural Trade Program facilitates the export of these products by linking Ohio's agribusinesses with federal and state assistance programs, industry organizations, international contacts, buyers, and other businesses.
The Global Markets Division works closely with the Food Export Association of the Midwest USA to promote international trade. Tim Sword, Global Agriculture Trade Program Manager, works with Ohio food and agricultural companies to help leverage resources to grow their businesses through exports. The Global Agricultural Trade Program lets current and potential exporters access and make the most of export education programs and international marketing services, supporting Ohio’s path to the global marketplace.
For more information about global markets in agriculture click here.
Ohio Export Finance Initiative
The Ohio Export Finance Initiative (OEFI) assists Ohio companies in meeting their export finance needs by working with the following organizations and programs:
Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) is a U.S. Government agency that promotes export sales of American goods and services through guarantees, loans, and export credit insurance. As a participant in the City/State Partnership Program, the OEFI markets programs offered by Ex-Im Bank, and packages applications for these programs. The OEFI's relationship with Ex-Im Bank provides Ohio companies a direct line to export finance.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) The OEFI also works with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which provides guarantees on loans made by lenders to support the production of goods and services for export.
Ohio Banks The OEFI maintains close contact with all Ohio banks that actively participate in financing international trade.
Government Sources In addition to Ex-Im Bank and the SBA, the OEFI helps Ohio companies evaluate their options with other U.S. government agencies that provide financing for international ventures. These agencies include the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA). The International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce publishes the Trade Finance Guide – A Quick Reference for U.S. Exporters, available on-line at www.export.gov or download PDF.
Alternative Finance When traditional sources of export finance are not available to Ohio companies, the OEFI helps them to explore other alternatives, including factoring and forfeiting. For more information, please contact Pat Perrin at 614-466-6133.
For more informnation on any of these programs visit the Ohio Development Services Agency's website.