State and Local Trade Programs

There are a number of excellent state and local trade assistance providers in Georgia to help you develop export sales.

 

Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)

The University of Georgia SBDC has an International Trade Office with special expertise in the business aspects of international trade.  Its consultants can help you with global market research, business and financial planning, and much more.

Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD)

GDEcD provides Georgia exporters with global insight and connections to develop export opportunities through its International Trade Division. Leveraging the state’s international reps in 12 overseas markets, it helps qualified Georgia exporters enter and expand in these foreign markets. It also sponsors a number of trade missions and Georgia pavilions at international trade shows.

Metro Atlanta Chamber

The Metro Atlanta Chamber offers a wealth of resources for local companies that wish to grow internationally. It can help you to identify the appropriate resources for your company’s global growth plans and determine the right next steps.

Centers for International Business Education and Research (CIBERs)

If you are looking for higher level professional education or research in international business, Georgia is fortunate to have two excellent CIBER programs. One is located at the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Scheller College of Business, the other at Georgia State University’s Robinson College of Business. These are two of of the seventeen national resource centers of excellence in international business funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Their mission is to ensure the long-term international economic competitiveness of the United States through support of research, business education initiatives, and corporate outreach activities.

State Regional (Agricultural) Trade Groups (SRTGs)

These are four regional non-profit organizations that help companies export agricultural products. They are supported by the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and offer access to USDA programs and resources, including federally-funded export assistance programs and training opportunities.

  1. Southern U.S. Trade Association (504) 568-5986). It’s region includes Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia.
  2. Food Export USA Northeast (215) 829-9111). It’s region includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont.
  3. Food Export Assn. of the Midwest USA (312) 334-9200). It’s region includes Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin.
  4. Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association(360) 693-3373). It’s region includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Guam, America Samoa.