SETAAC contributed the following article about their trade
adjusment assistance program:
Has your manufacturing business been impacted by
import competition? If so, you are not alone.
Fortunately, many manufacturers have been able to receive federal
assistance to improve their competitiveness and profitability.
The Southeastern Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (SETAAC)
administers a U.S. government program that can provide up to
$75,000 of U.S. government funds on a cost share basis for
manufacturing firms that have been impacted by low-cost
imports absorbing market share. This program is available to
all U.S. manufacturing businesses that have experienced
declines in sales and employment due to import
competition.
The Southeastern Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (SETAAC),
based at Georgia Tech's Enterprise Innovation Institute in Atlanta,
helps manufacturers develop and implement turn-around strategies to
compete better with imports in eight Southeastern states:
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
Last year, SETAAC helped more than 30 companies. On
average, these companies received $42,000 in matching funds. In the
last three years, SETAAC's clients have increased sales by 26
percent and improved productivity by 28 percent.
SETAAC's role is to partner with manufacturers and guide them
through the 3-step process of certification, diagnosis and
implementation. There are various projects types eligible for
funding. Some common project examples are:
- ERP and production software installation and integration
- Production system innovation or re-engineering
- Quality compliance certifications/CE/ISO upgrades
- Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, continuous improvement programs
and custom process engineering solutions.
- Strategic planning and target market
identification/planning
- Identification and development of new products and new
markets/prototyping
- Export feasibility assistance
- Web site design/e-commerce implementation and/or sales
literature
The program funds cannot pay for assets, but can pay for
projects that improve a company's competitive position.
There is no cost to the firm to get certified.
To learn more about SETAAC and how to get started, visit the SETAAC
website or contact Maria Gorges, Program Director, at (404)
894-6787.
Southeastern Trade Assistance Adjustment Center
(SETAAC)
Enterprise Innovation Institute
Georgia Institute of Technology
760 Spring Street, NW, Suite 330
Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0640