2009 PRESS RELEASES
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July 23, 2009
SMALL AGRIBUSINESS EXPORTERS MAY APPLY FOR MAP BRANDED FUNDS STARTING AUGUST 1, 2009
Contact: Marion Horsley, 804.225.3820
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has announced August 1, 2009 as the opening date for small agribusinesses to apply for grants that refund up to 50 percent of expenses related to marketing branded products internationally.
On that date, the Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA) will begin accepting applications for funding for the 2010 Market Access Program (MAP) Branded from small agribusiness companies launching new branded export efforts. Because Virginia is a member state of SUSTA, MAP is available through the association to Virginia companies.
The MAP Branded Program assists accepted participants by reimbursing up to 50 percent of certain international marketing and promotion expenses, including eligible trade shows, in-store displays, advertising, trade seminars and required label changes. Companies are encouraged to apply before October 1 for the best chance of receiving their full funding request. Once all funding is allocated, the application process is over until next year. Additional information about the program, including a list of eligible expenses and product types, is available at http://www.susta.org/services/map.html.
VDACS also announced that MAP Branded funding is still available for companies that are planning promotional activities for the remainder of 2009. To view a sample application or download the 2009 Branded application, companies should visit www.susta.org/services/map_application.html.
According to Todd P. Haymore, VDACS Commissioner, “Exports of agricultural, food and forest products from Virginia play a significant role in positioning agriculture as the state’s largest industry. But in order to maintain that status, we need new companies to join the ranks of Virginia producers selling their products abroad. I encourage small agribusinesses to take advantage of the support offered by the MAP Branded Program.”
SUSTA will accept MAP Branded applications on a first-come, first-approved, first-served basis for activities that will take place during the program year from January 1 through December 31, 2010. Eligible companies can download a Pre-Qualification Form and Application from the SUSTA Web site at www.susta.org/services/map_application.html.
Program guidelines specify that eligible MAP Branded products can be as diverse as animal hides, catfish, snack foods and hot sauce. To participate in MAP Branded, companies must:
- Meet the definition of “small” according to Small Business Administration guidelines (http://www.sba.gov/contractingopportunities/officials/size/index.html ), or be a farm cooperative
- Be a registered business entity in the United States
- Document total gross sales (domestic and export) in the previous calendar year exceeding $100,000
- Export a product that is at least 50 percent U.S. agricultural origin by weight
- Control a sufficient quantity of the exported product to assure an uninterrupted supply to international buyers
- Market a product under a brand name
- Label the product as "Product of the USA" or "Made in the USA"
- Sell a value-added agricultural item such as consumer food products, fresh produce, snack foods, condiments, sauces, specialty food items, beverages, aquaculture, some wood products, hides and skins, pet foods, ornamental horticulture, etc.
Click here to f ind answers to frequently asked questions about the MAP Branded Marketing Program. For more information regarding the Branded program or application procedure, contact the Branded department at 504.568.5986 or branded@susta.org.