Export Assistance for Idaho Companies

TechHelp helps Idaho companies create products of all kinds. When a company has success selling domestically, there is good reason to explore global markets and join Idaho companies that sell around $6 billion worth of goods and services to 168 countries worldwide. As Idaho’s Manufacturing Extension Partner (MEP), and a member of the Idaho District Export Council, TechHelp can introduce you to the state’s export experts who help Idaho inventors, manufacturers and processors sell to the 6.5 Billion consumers with 70% of the world’s purchasing power who live outside the U.S. 

A  report from Dun & Bradstreet and American Express indicated that about 4% of Idaho’s middle-market companies (firms generating between $10 million and $1 billion) are exporting compared to about 5% nationwide. Idaho has 546 middle-market firms, and 21 are engaged in export activities. Idaho’s technology sector generates about half of Idaho’s exports, with agriculture driving around 21%.

Exporting can be profitable, but it can also introduce language, culture, law, currency, certifications, business environment challenges. Thankfully, Idaho is home to a host of organizations that can address export challenges:

• The Idaho District Export Council or DEC is a volunteer organization drawn from Idaho industries and service providers. DEC members provide a unique source of professional advice to help other Idaho firms compete and win business in the global marketplace.
• The U.S. Commercial Service Office in Boise, aka U.S. Export Assistance Center or USEAC, is a federal government agency dedicated to helping small-to-medium sized Idaho businesses realize their export potential. Connecting with the local USEAC gives you access to the agency’s 165 offices in 82 countries worldwide. The Idaho office in Boise has been run admirably for years by Director Amy Benson. Phone: (208) 364-7791 Email: amy.benson@trade.gov
• The Idaho Department of Commerce Division of International Business staff members are experts in developing reliable global business relationships. The IB Division helps companies identify prospects in international markets, find financing to support this new aspect of a business, and match companies with local resources that can provide export services.
• The Idaho State Department of Agriculture Market Development Division is a public resource providing marketing assistance to Idaho’s food and agriculture industry. The Division’s mission is “to promote Idaho’s food and agriculture industry by expanding opportunities in domestic and foreign markets fostering industry growth and profitability.” (See 2020 Idaho Ag Trade Issues Report)
• The Idaho Small Business Development Center, in collaboration with other statewide resources, has developed programs to position small and medium-sized businesses to take maximum advantage of business and trade opportunities in the global marketplace.
• Boise State’s College of Business & Economics International Business Program is a fount of information, programs, and resources for the export community. IB strives to provide the highest value preparation to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, enabling them to compete successfully in the global economy. IB Majors are students of the world representing a variety of diverse cultures and languages. In addition, IB manages or supports several programs that benefit exporters, including:
  • Export Excellence (ExporTech) – Since 2010, IB has been the exclusive provider of interns to Idaho’s Export Excellence Program that helps Idaho companies accelerate profitable export activities. 
  • Heidelberg Project – In collaboration with The Business School of Applied Science at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, and the Idaho Small Business Development Center, IB offers Idaho companies the ability to investigate market opportunities in Germany and Europe. Since 2005, student teams, with oversight from professors at both universities, conducted field research for Idaho companies on potential markets and other specific queries from the firms. As a result, these firms receive a customized marketing study, analysis, and plan for exporting products or services to Europe or Germany.
  • Internships prepare IB students for success in the globally competitive job market and provide critical workforce, knowledge, and skills to Idaho companies struggling to find resources to accelerate export activities. IB majors have completed over 70 internships with various multinational and governmental agencies over the past few years.

Other Resources:

• Export.gov is a great starting point for all things export and international. The site is managed by the International Trade Association in collaboration with U.S. agencies and private sector organizations involved in trade.
• STEP Grant Funding – Funds export growth activities such as trade shows, Governor’s or Foreign Trade Mission, Foreign Market Sales Trips, Services phttp://commerce.idaho.gov/idaho-business/international-trade/state-trade-and-export-promotion-grantroved by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Website translation to a foreign language, search engine optimization, localization services, and International Trade Shows
• U.S. Export Portal Including Export Readiness Assessment – Many free tools, including an assessment that determines export readiness.