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Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms


Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) is a federal program that provides financial assistance to manufacturers and service firms affected by import competition. Sponsored by the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), this cost-sharing federal assistance program helps pay for projects that improve firms’ competitiveness.


Cleantech Trade Mission

How does the TAAF program work?

How do I apply for TAAF assistance?

What types of projects are eligible?

Is my firm eligible?

Where is my local Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (TAAC)?


SUCCESS STORIES


TAAF Staff
San Antonio, Texas (March 31, 2010) – EDA’s Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) program, led by Program Director Bryan Borlik (upper right), held a Best Practices Conference at the University of Texas at San Antonio on March 30 - April 1, 2010. (Click on Photo for larger image)






Pella, Iowa (December 16, 2009) – Bryan Borlik, Director of EDA’s Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms Program (center) and David Ross, International Trade Counsel, Senate Finance Committee (right), tour Precision Pulley & Idler – a client of the Trade Adjustment for Firms Program – with the company’s Chief Engineer, Tim Wolf (left). (Click on Photo for larger image)




Helpful Links:

  • Community TAA
  • TAA for Workers (Department of Labor)
  • TAA for Farmers (USDA)
  • Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST)


    TO APPLY TODAY

    CONTACT YOUR REGIONAL TAAC


    How does the TAAF program work?

    Import-impacted U.S. companies can receive matching funds for projects that expand markets, strengthen operations, sharpen competitiveness and create jobs through Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF.)

    Firms work with one of 11 Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers (TAACs) that coordinate TAAF benefits. These TAACs are regional non-profit organizations funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. TAAC staff are business professionals that have worked with thousands of firms since the program's inception in 1974.

    TAAC staff will help the firm choose outside consultants if necessary, which can include engineers, designers or other industry-specific experts. The TAAC will pay its portion of the project’s fees directly to the consultant.

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    How do I apply for TAAF assistance?

    Interested firms begin by contacting one of 11 regional Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers.

    TAAC staff will assess eligibility and prepare an application on the firm's behalf. Firms may be eligible if imports have contributed to declines in employment and sales or production.

    The regional TAAC will guide you through the following process:

    1) Application (Petition)

    At no cost to the firm, the experienced TAAC staff will determine if the firm meets the criteria for the program and will submit an application on the firm’s behalf to the U. S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. TAAC clients see one of the best benefits of this program is that the TAACs do all the paperwork for the firm.

    2) Strategic Plan (Adjustment Proposal)

    Upon certification, the firm is eligible to receive grant funding for projects. At this point, firms are asked to share in a portion of the costs for developing a strategic plan in conjunction with the TAAC. This cost share is based on the size of the firm.

    TAAC Project Managers will work with the firm’s management team to develop a plan that includes:

  • The firm’s long term goals
  • An analysis of the competition facing the firm’s industry
  • A review of the firm’s competitive strengths
  • Strategies for addressing import competition
  • A specific description of the firm’s proposed projects

    A TAAC Project Manager will submit the completed strategic plan to the Department of Commerce for final approval.

    3) Project Implementation

    Once approved, the firm may move forward with its strategy and start projects of its choice to strengthen your competitive position. The firm will pay a percentage of each project’s cost, usually 25 to 50%, with grant funds making up the remainder. TAAC staff will work with the firm to develop a scope of work for each project, suggest consultants in each area if needed and monitor the progress until each project is completed.

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    What types of projects are eligible?

    Projects are aimed at improving a firm’s competitive position. Specifically, these matching funds are applied toward the cost of consultants, engineers, designers or industry experts for improvement projects in areas such as market development, manufacturing/engineering, information technology/quality and financial/general management.

    Market Development

    Export Development Marketing and Sales Strategy
    Advertising/Sales Promotion/Brochure Development Web Site Development
    Distribution Analysis & Development Distributor/Sales Representative Search
    Sales Force Management Programs Product Line Evaluation
    Analysis of Competition Market Research
    Customer Service Analysis


    Manufacturing/Engineering

    ISO/QS 9000 Preparation & Registration Quality Assurance
    Product Development Product Design & Testing
    Product Certification - CE Mark, UL, etc. Operations Analysis
    Manufacturing Technology Review Productivity Improvement
    Process Engineering Production Planning, Scheduling & Control
    Inventory Management Statistical Process Control
    Work Methods and Standards Facility & Equipment Review, Selection & Layout
    CAD/CAM Selection and Implementation Material Handling Methods


    Information Technology/Quality

    Hardware/Software Evaluation & Recommendation System Conversion/Enhancements Recommendation
    Custom Programming Integrated Manufacturing Systems
    Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Office Automation
    E-Commerce


    Financial/General Management

    Profit Planning/Cash Management/Budgeting Debt Restructuring
    Cost Management Quality Management
    Strategic Planning Expansion, Diversification & Divestiture Studies
    Organizational Analysis Human Resources Planning & Executive Search
    Customized Training Program Development and Implementation Compensation and Incentive Programs
    Succession Planning

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    Is my firm eligible?

    Your local TAAC will help you determine whether your firm is eligible. In general, the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration requires the following conditions to be met in order for a firm to be certified as eligible:

    Employment

  • Decline in average employment in the most recent 12 month period compared with the preceding 12, 24 or 36 month periods.
    or
  • An interim decline in average employment in the most recent 6 month period compared with the same 6 month period in the prior year.

    AND

    Sales

  • A decline in total sales or production in the most recent 12 month period compared with preceding 12, 24 or 36 months.
    or
  • An interim decline in sales or production in the most recent 6 month period compared with the same 6 month period in the prior year.
    or
  • A decline in sales or production of a major product or service in the most recent 12 month period.

    AND

    Effects of Imports

  • Similar imported products or services have contributed importantly to the loss of sales and demonstrated by:
    -Customers reducing their purchases in favor of imported products.
    or
    -Quotations or bids that were lost in favor of imported products.

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    Where is my local Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (TAAC)?

    Great Lakes TAAC


    University of Michigan Business School
    Business and Industrial Assistance Division
    506 East Liberty St.
    3rd Floor, Carver Building
    Ann Arbor, MI 48104-2210
    Toll Free: (877) 877-5439
    Phone: (734) 998-6213
    Fax: (734) 998-6224
    Email: glTAAC@umich.edu
    URL: http://www.glTAAC.org
    Areas served: Indiana, Michigan, Ohio

    Mid-America TAAC


    664 SE Bayberry Lane, Suite 101
    Lee's Summit, MO 64063
    Toll Free: (800) 551-8222
    Phone: (816) 246-1555
    Fax: (816) 246-9860
    Email: mid-amer@TAACenter.org
    Areas served: Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri

    Mid-Atlantic TAAC


    550 Township Line Road, Suite 450
    Blue Bell, PA 19422
    Toll Free: (800) 566-7522
    Phone: (610) 825-7819
    Fax: (610) 825-7708
    Email: info@maTAAC.org
    URL: http://www.maTAAC.org
    Areas served: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia

    Midwest TAAC


    Applied Strategies International, Ltd.
    150 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2240
    Chicago, IL 60606
    Toll Free: (800) 333-2148
    Phone: (312) 368-4600
    Fax: (312) 368-9043
    Email: info@appliedstrategiesintl.com
    Website: www.appliedstrategiesintl.com
    Areas served: Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin

    New England TAAC


    600 Suffolk Street
    Fifth Floor North
    Lowell, MA 01854
    Phone: (978) 446-9870
    Fax: (978) 446-9820
    Email: TAAF@neTAAC.org
    URL: http://www.neTAAC.org/
    Areas served: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont

    New York State TAAC


    81 State Street, Suite 4
    Binghamton, NY 13901-3315.
    Phone: (607) 771-0875
    Fax: (607) 724-2404
    Email: gyoumans@nysTAAC.org
    URL: http://www.nysTAAC.org
    Area served: New York

    Northwest TAAC


    1200 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 802
    Seattle, WA 98109
    Toll Free: (800) 667-8087
    Phone: (206) 622-2730
    Fax: (206) 622-1105
    Email: admin@nwTAAC.org
    URL: http://www.nwTAAC.org/
    Areas served: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Washington

    Rocky Mountain TAAC


    5353 Manhattan Circle, Suite 200
    Boulder, CO 80303
    Toll Free: (800) 677-3791
    Phone: (303) 499-8222
    Fax: (303) 499-8298
    Email: contact@rmTAAC.org
    Website: www.rmTAAC.org
    Areas served: Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming

    Southeastern TAAC


    760 Spring Street, N.W.
    Atlanta, GA 30308
    Phone: (404) 894-3858
    Fax: (404) 894-8194
    Email: seTAAC@edi.gatech.edu
    URL: www.seTAAC.org
    Areas served: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee

    Southwest TAAC


    501 W. Durango
    San Antonio, TX 78207
    Toll Free: (800) 344-8872
    Phone: (210) 458-2490
    Fax: (210) 458-2491
    Email: southwestTAAC@utsa.edu
    URL: http://www.swTAAC.org
    Areas served: Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas

    Western TAAC


    University of Southern California
    3716 South Hope Street, Suite 200
    Los Angeles, CA 90007
    Phone: (213) 743-2732
    Fax: (213) 746-8722
    Email: wTAAC@usc.edu
    URL: http://wesrac.usc.edu/
    Areas served: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada

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