A Northwest industrial equipment manufacturer rapidly lost business to imports from China and Taiwan. An economic developer recognized the problem and referred the company to the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) program. When the company applied for TAAF, they had lost half of their employees and 65 percent of sales over two years. NorthwestTAAC…

We’ve all heard about trade competition and lost jobs in the media. AT NWTAAC, we work with small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) who are negatively affected by trade competition, what is often called “trade impact” in policy lingo. For large companies or from a macro-economic perspective, import competition may seem like a rising tide –…

Oregon manufacturers should be aware of a new grant available through Business Oregon’s Export Promotion Program. If you are currently exporting products internationally, or if you are interested in doing so, don’t miss this opportunity. The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) matching grant reimburses 75% of eligible expenses up to $10,000. Funded in part through…

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today that it is accepting applications for its new Community Navigator Pilot Program. This new initiative, established by the American Rescue Plan, will leverage a community navigator approach to reach our nation’s smallest businesses, with a priority focus on those owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, as well as women and veterans. SBA will accept applications through July 12, 2021, and…

Greater Spokane Inc. (GSI), Inland Northwest Aerospace Consortium (INWAC) and the Northwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (NorthwestTAAC) partnered to present a webinar on how companies in the Northwest can successfully overcome international competition. Through the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms program, companies that have lost business due to competition from imports can access matching…