Federal Grants Help Alaska Companies Gain Competitive Edge

October 29, 2009
Alaska Business Monthly
Anchorage, Alaska

Federal grants are now available to help Alaska companies compete in changing global markets

Congress has again funded Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) programs aimed at assisting companies that are losing sales to foreign imports, or have been forced to lay off workers or cut back on hours.

Eligible companies can receive up to $75,000 in grants for a wide range of projects of their choice to increase profitability and save jobs. The program cannot, however, be used for equipment purchases.

“Companies must show a decline in sales or production and employment, and then be able to tie that to an increase in imports,” said Gary Kuhar, director of the nonprofit Northwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (NorthwestTAAC).

The Center administers funds from the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration to assist a wide range of businesses and service industries.

The TAA funds enable companies to develop and complete projects they might not otherwise have considered, and to do so in an effective and structured way. Projects may include developing websites and marketing tools in multi-languages, providing manufacturing design and site layouts, among others.

“We’ve helped fishing businesses that have lost sales to a foreign source, farmers, oil and gas producers, wood products manufacturers – we’ve even designed a small hydroelectric dam for a sheep ranching business in Idaho,” Kuhar said. “We are the only TAA program that not only helps clients develop a strategic plan; we implement the plan for them by hiring outside experts to complete the project.”

The TAA grants also are open to co-ops and associations. Find more information about Trade Adjustment Assistance for Alaska companies at www.nwtaac.org or contact patrick@nwtaac.org.

Reprinted with permission

Susan Kost, Director of Business Operations

Seattle, WA / Bodypoint Inc.

Bodypoint Inc

The (NWTAAC) plan process was great. While we do annual reviews and internal monitoring the outside perspective was very helpful and the plan remains valid even now 5 years later. The projects were all the more effective for their coordination within an overall plan.

Matt Luck, Business Owner

Bristol Bay, AK / Pride of Bristol Bay

Pride of Bristol Bay

The (TAAF) program was everything I hoped it would be. The business is definitely in a better place than it otherwise would have been. Having a period of years in which to work in the program helped me to be more successful and took a lot of the financial burden away.

Alan Smyth, President

Seattle, WA / North Star Ice Equipment Co.

North Star Ice Equipment Co.

The TAA process went very smoothly from start to finish and it was not in any way an administrative headache due to the continued assistance of the Northwest TAAC staff.

Bob Shingler, President

Beaverton, OR / Evo, Inc.

Evo, Inc.

We are proud of the fact that all of the parts that we use in our appliances are made by American workers, and we feel that our standards are really high. NorthwestTAAC is helping us compete in our market and they are very understanding of our circumstances. Communication with them has been seamless.

Hanna Scholz

Eugene, OR / Green Gear Cycling Inc. (Bike Friday)

Green Gear Cycling Inc (Bike Friday)

Online marketing has brought so much change to the industry. TAAF funding was pretty important for us, we don't know how we would have done it otherwise. The Program made is possible for us to keep up with changes in the marketplace and kept us viable.

Bob Guenser, President

Cluster, WA / Signature Plastics

Signature Plastics

The TAAF Website Project was very successful. Both sales and margins have increased. This is mainly due to a transition from wholesale to consumer sales through the website.

Aaron McGee, President

Meridian, ID / FAMCO

FAMCO

Prior to working with NWTAAC we did not have e-commerce capability. Our website now generates a large share of sales and we have an Amazon store.

Craig Rostad, Chief Financial Officer

Rocky Mountain Log Homes / Pioneer Log Homes / Whisper Creek Log Homes

Rocky Mountain Log Homes / Pioneer Log Homes / Whisper Creek Log Homes

Thanks to the valuable assistance provided by NorthwestTAAC, Rocky Mountain Log Homes and our affiliates have been able to develop and implement new and effective advertising, increase our international footprint, and expand our domestic market in spite of difficult economic conditions.

Loren Rose, Comptroller

Seeley Lake, MT / Pyramid Mountain Lumber

Pyramid Mountain Lumber

As you are well aware, this industry has been brutalized by plummeting prices. This has meant mill curtailments and closures across the West and into Canada. While this is going on, we are adding a new machine center for processing small logs and adding employees. Your grant is part of the reason we are still a viable industry player and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.

David Fenton, Director of Marketing

Idaho Falls, ID / Woodland Furniture

Woodland Furniture

With the help of NorthwestTAAC, we were able to enhance web-based tools, increasing functionality, and also add completely new functions that were cost prohibitive without the funding. We are grateful for the help.

Eric Norman, General Manager

Juneau, AK / Taku Fisheries / Smokeries

Taku Fisheries / Smokeries

We expect to increase our sales of smoked and fresh frozen seafood. With the NorthwestTAAC assistance we have been able to broaden the scope of our product lines and marketing, and we are seeing annual sales increases of 10-20% in a number of our products.

Paul Humphreys, President

Everett, WA / Quantum Windows & Doors, Inc.

Quantum Windows & Doors, Inc.

The assistance provided by the NorthwestTAAC has proven to be a valuable asset in our efforts to expand into new geographic markets. We’ve been able to fast-track upgrades to corporate branding and prepare the ground for product development geared toward export sales. We really appreciate the help from everyone at NorthwestTAAC, thank you!

Spencer Williams, President

Bozeman, MT / West Paw Design

West Paw Design

Because of these projects, we expect to launch our pet product in January, three months ahead of schedule. Also, now we only cut one mold, rather than two, allowing us to spend approximately $15,000 in other investments that will also help increase sales.

Mark Gleason, Executive Director

ABSC

ABSC

Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers (ABSC), a trade and marketing association representing crab harvesters in the Bering Sea, needed to improve their outreach efforts to more effectively promote the value of Alaskan crab. Not only did we need better marketing materials for our customers, but we also needed an improved communications system for our members, Bering Sea crab fishermen. With funding provided by NorthwestTAAC we were able to redesign our website and logo, create market specific materials and design a unique Weekly Newsletter that reaches over 250 members. The support and guidance provided by NorthwestTAAC staff throughout the entire funding process was amazing. Thank you.

Bob Tucker, President

Dallas, OR / Mak Metals, Inc.

Mak Metals, Inc.

The NorthwestTAAC has been an integral part of our recovery process after the downturn in 2008. Using the funds and expertise of their staff, we were able to successfully launch our new product line MAK Grills. Their commitment to helping business stay in America and employ American workers is inspiring and absolutely crucial to our economy. We are happy to report record growth in 2010, have hired an additional 20 employees and are focusing on a bright future.

Nancy White, President

Bingen, WA / Custom Interface, Inc.

Custom Interface, Inc.

Since our company applied for program funding, sales have increased by $3 million and net profit is up 5%. All jobs lost to overseas competition have been regained and strategies developed through the program leave us well positioned for the next five years.

Patrick F. Miller, President/CEO

Townsend, MT / PFM Manufacturing

PFM Manufacturing

NorthwestTAAC was very helpful, offering financial assistance to obtain a new professional looking website and lean manufacturing techniques. Our company was able to improve our professional image and our manufacturing efficiencies with the help from NorthwestTAAC. Thank you NorthwestTAAC.

Della & Mark Ehlke

Felco, LLC

"I would highly recommend other companies consider applying for project funding through the TAAF program," says Della, "NWTAAC's oversight and guidance was very helpful, and as a result, we have made significant improvements to our companies' marketability that we may not have done without their help."