State awards export development grants to 26 small businesses

DENVER — Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011 — The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced today it has selected 26 small businesses from throughout the state to receive Colorado Export Development Grants (CEDG).

With the help of the grant funding and supplementary export counseling provided by the OEDIT staff, grant recipients will be able to expand their product and service exports to new global markets. During the three years it has been offered, the CEDG has helped Colorado companies sustain and expand their businesses through exporting. The CEDG is funded in part this year through a grant award with the U.S. Small Business Administration and awarded a total of $52,750.

To qualify for the CEDG, applicants were required to demonstrate their readiness to export, present a clear and attainable project aimed at achieving sales in a new market, and show how the use of funds would ultimately lead to the retention and/or creation of jobs in Colorado. A record number of companies applied for the grants this year from a variety of industries and locations.

The following companies were selected as grant recipients:

Alpha Data Inc., Denver	NGVI North America, Inc., Fort Collins
Avantes Inc., Broomfield	Novo Energy, LLC, Fort Collins
aWhere, Inc., Wheat Ridge	Oliver Manufacturing Co. Inc. Rocky Ford
Bella Ag, Kersey	Optibrand Ltd., LLC, Fort Collins
RH, Inc. DBA Wolfman, Longmont	Organic Pet Superfood, Boulder
Fiberforge Corporation, Glenwood Springs	RMB Products Inc., Fountain
FiberLok, Fort Collins	RNL Design, Denver
Geotech Environmental Equipment Inc., Denver	Schacht Spindle Company Inc., Boulder
GPS Source, Pueblo	Specialty Products Company, Longmont
InDevR Inc., Boulder	Tapeless Medical, Centennial
Intelagard Inc., Lafayette	TheraTogs Inc., Telluride
International Tourism Marketing Inc., Englewood	Weaver and Company, Aurora
Lightning Eliminators & Consultants Inc., Boulder	Wolf Robotics, Fort Collins

###

About the Office of Economic Development and International Trade

The office a host of programs and services tailored to support business development at every level. Such offerings include business retention, expansion, development and relocation services; business financial assistance and incentive programs; tourism industry marketing and support; creative industries programs and services; international trade exporting and inward investment services; and small business development centers and technical assistance for minority, women-owned and veteran businesses. For more information about our divisions, programs and services, please visit us at www.AdvanceColorado.com.