SBA Int'l Trade & SBA NY District Office Visit to Pace SBDC

On Tuesday, November 29th, leadership from the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of International Trade and the agency’s New York District office visited the Pace University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) office to discuss SBA international trade and export financing programs.

Claire Ehmann, Deputy Associate Administrator, and Daniel Pische, National Director of Trade Finance, provided valuable insights regarding SBA programming and resources available to small businesses that are interested in exploring international markets. Marlene Cintron, SBA Regional Administrator, and Beth Goldberg, SBA New York District Director added insights regarding utilization of SBA financing programs and diversity of businesses locally, as well as SBDCs’ ongoing collaboration with the agency to help clients explore export opportunities.

Discussion then turned to export opportunities for NYS small businesses and how the SBDCs support small businesses on international trade. Led by Pace SBDC Regional Director Andrew Flamm and Business Advisor Sandra Cely, NYS SBDC State Director Sonya Smith, Baruch College SBDC Regional Director Benjamin Cox and NYSBDC Advisory Board member David Lee, this segment focused on SBDC client engagement with international markets. Select examples included strategies around supporting small businesses who import to transition to exporting as well, and client experiences in accessing SBA-sponsored loan programs and State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) matching grants and the business projects they fund.

The meeting wrapped up with discussion of additional training and resources available for NYSBDC advisors and small businesses alike. The Pace SBDC thanks all participants for a lively and helpful discussion to help our small business clients understand global markets and access international growth opportunities.