Photo by Eva Bronzini
An Alaska wild seafood harvester was losing business to imports from Scandinavian countries in 2016. The seafood harvester entered the U.S. Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) program.
The firm’s management and NorthwestTAAC developed a strategy to create alternative distribution channels. The company used TAAF funding for marketing and website improvements.
“The (TAAF) program was everything I hoped it would be,” said the owner. “The business is definitely in a better place than it otherwise would have been.”
The investments paid off! The company experienced rapid growth and the owner sold the business after realizing substantial financial growth.
At the conclusion of 2.3 years of TAAF funding assistance, the Firm increased sales by 488 percent and projected gains in employment and productivity in the coming years.
“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.”
Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) is open to many seafood harvesters, seafood processors, farmers, and value-added food producers facing import competition.