The federal Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) program continues to help Indiana manufacturers improve their competitiveness.

TAAF helps smaller manufacturers that are losing sales to imports. For Indiana companies, the program is managed by the Great Lakes Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (GLTAAC).

The TAAF program helps qualified manufacturers invest in themselves by providing up to $75,000 in matching funds for key business improvement projects, and includes assessment and planning assistance to maximize project impact.

TAAF assists clients in projects to help both the top and bottom lines. Here are some examples of projects TAAF has co-funded for GLTAAC’s Indiana clients:

• This Indiana mold maker recently completed a lead generation project, using an outside consultant with expertise in their industry. The effort was successful, producing quote requests, increasing awareness for the client, and expanding their geographic territory. The results were so impressive, that the GLTAAC client has chosen to continue using the consultant in a follow-on project, with TAAF funds paying for half the $23K cost.
• An outdated website just wasn’t keeping pace with this Indiana furniture manufacturer’s capabilities. As a new GLTAAC client, the firm chose to begin spending their TAAF co-funding on a project to re-vamp their site to reflect their quality products. The project is now complete, resulting in a website with refreshed images and updated content. Additionally, the site makes it easy for customers on all levels to contact the firm for quotes. TAAF funding picked up 50% of the cost for the new site. (See more about the kinds of projects TAAF funds here.)

If import competition has hurt your sales, don’t put off learning more about GLTAAC.  Check out our website (www.gltaac.org), or contact GLTAAC Project Manager, Scott Phillips at shphill@umich.edu or 734.787.7509.  Scott can quickly review the TAAF program with you and help you determine if your firm would qualify for TAAF matching funds.