New Mexico small businesses looking to grow their sales in international markets can now apply for the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 10, 2026
Applications open for New Mexico’s STEP grant program
Previous awardees topped more than $1 million in export sales
SANTA FE — New Mexico small businesses looking to grow their sales in international markets can now apply
for the 13th cycle of the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), Economic Development New Mexico (EDNM)
announced today.
The STEP program assists businesses with foreign trade show booths, trade missions, global website optimization,
international market research and business matchmaking, foreign product registration and training. The program is
funded by the federal government but administered by states.
This latest opportunity comes alongside a new impact report showing that companies awarded the last round of
STEP grants (Oct. 1, 2023–Sept. 30, 2025) reported more than $1 million in aggregate export sales.
“These STEP grants are one of our best tools to help New Mexico’s small businesses, while expanding global trade
at the same time,” said EDNM Secretary Rob Black. “The success of this program demonstrates what’s possible
when we invest directly in our businesses and give them the tools to compete on a global stage.”
The New Mexico Trade Alliance, EDNM’s public-private partner for expanding the state’s global trade and
investment opportunities, has managed STEP on behalf the department since 2021.
During the last STEP cycle, the state awarded a total of $200,000 in grants to 29 companies across New Mexico.
More than a third of these awardees were based outside the Albuquerque metro area, and more than 20% were
rural.
Participating companies reported retaining 146 jobs and creating 16 new ones as a result of the funding. Sixteen
companies made a new export sale during the grant period, while more than 80% reported increased international
brand awareness. Companies reached new markets across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.
Applications for the latest cycle grants (referred to as STEP 13) are now open to New Mexico small businesses
interested in growing their export sales. The grant application will open October 1, 2026.
To help interested companies learn more about the program and how to apply, the New Mexico Trade Alliance will
host a free STEP orientation webinar on September 24 at 1 p.m. Businesses can register here.
For more information about the STEP 13 grant program, interested companies can visit
nmtradealliance.org/nmstepgrant.
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