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Division
of Investment and Export
PO Box 7970
Madison, WI 53707-7970
USA
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Vol.
8 #2, November 2008
Funds Available for Ag Export Promotions
Governor Jim Doyle announced on October 20 that federal matching funds
are available to help Wisconsin food companies promote their products
in foreign markets. Up to $300,000 of funding is available per company
for efforts to promote and market their products overseas.
“Consumers around the world enjoy Wisconsin’s diverse and
high-quality agriculture products,” Governor Doyle said.
“By building Wisconsin’s brand image abroad we will create
demand for our food products which will help ensure a healthy
agricultural economy.”
The Branded Program™ reimburses participants for up to half of
their international marketing and promotional expenses, including the
cost of foreign trade shows, international travel, advertising, product
demonstrations, point-of-sale materials, and package and label
modifications to meet foreign import requirements. The funds will
boost Wisconsin’s record agriculture exports, which are driven by
growing consumer demand in Canada, Mexico, Japan, China and Korea for
dairy products, baking and brewing ingredients, foods and food
preparations, beverages and hides. Wisconsin is the 16th largest
exporter of agricultural commodities in the United States and the
state’s agricultural exports increased by 13 percent during the
first six months of 2008, reaching a record $975 million.
Agricultural exports help the state, the nation’s trade balance,
enable Wisconsin farmers and food and agriculture businesses to grow,
and create jobs for Wisconsin citizens. Wisconsin agricultural
exports account for about 20 percent of Wisconsin farm income.
Agriculture generates $51 billion for the state annually and close to
half a million jobs.
Food Export Association of the Midwest USA is
a private, non-profit association of Midwestern state agricultural
promotion agencies that use federal, state, and industry resources to
promote the export of Midwestern food and agricultural products. Food
Export-Midwest administers the Branded Program™ and funds are for
international marketing activities in the 2009 calendar year.
Program participants must fit the U.S. Small Business
Administration’s definition of a “small company” and
be incorporated in the United States. In addition, at least half of
their products must be made with domestic ingredients. Agriculture
cooperatives and export agents that work on behalf of U.S. food
companies also are eligible for assistance, provided they meet program
requirements. Midwest participants collectively receive nearly $6
million annually in reimbursements. The Branded Program™
reimburses eligible companies between $2,500 and $300,000 for eligible
marketing activities.
Additional information about the program and a
“pre-qualification” worksheet that can help companies
assess their eligibility for funding are available online at http://www.brandedprogram.org.
Questions about qualifications, marketing plans, eligible
reimbursements, and the application process can be directed to Ms. Lisa
Stout, DATCP Agricultural Marketing Consultant, lisa.stout@wisconsin.gov, (608) 224-5126 or to Food Export – Midwest, (312) 334-9200.
--Lisa Stout, DATCP Agricultural Export Specialist
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