More U.S. Companies Hurt by Imports May Now Qualify for Federal Help

Changes to the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance grant program may enable more companies to qualify for benefits.

According to the NY State Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (NYS TAAC), changes were signed into law recently by the President that:

• Extends the authorization of appropriations for TAA through December 31, 2013.
• Reincorporates the eligibility of service firms for assistance.
• Reincorporates the use of extended look-back periods for certification.

The NYS TAAC has helped over 1,200 New York firms recover from the effects of foreign competition and has provided more than $53 million in assistance. These changes let the NYS TAAC continue aiding firms throughout the state.

Your company may be eligible for TAA benefits if your firm has experienced sales and employment declines due in part to imports. The new law includes look-back periods that can extend to 2008

Benefits include funding improvement projects on a 75/25 percentage cost share up to $30,000 or 50/50 cost share on projects up to $150,000.

Projects can be in marketing, information technology, manufacturing/engineering and compliance areas like ISO Certification. Project assistance is delivered by independent industry specialists, consultants or other service providers.

For information about how AM&T can assist, contact: Jim Cunningham at 607-725-1225