1. Northwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center—TAA for Firms Patrick Meuleman Client Development Manager patrick@nwtaac.org 208-343-6855 www.nwtaac.org

2.  Eligible firms can receive up to $75,000 in matching federal assistance.  The funds are used to hire technical assistance consultants; no funds can be used to purchase assets.  The Northwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (NWTAAC) is a non-profit organization that administers the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) program for the U.S. Department of Commerce; Economic Development Administration.  We help Manufacturing, Agriculture and Service firms hurt by imports.  NWTAAC covers businesses in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. NWTAAC-TAAF

3. ELIGIBILITY You may qualify if your company has: Seen sales and/or production decline, Been forced to lay off workers or reduce work hours, Lost some domestic sales to imports. NWTAAC will: Prepare the grant application (petition) at no cost to you. If you are approved, NWTAAC works with your company to do a business analysis to identify the best projects for us to help fund.

4. PROCESS It takes between 4-6 months from starting the application to starting the first project.

5. ADJUSTMENT PROPOSAL  Develop a customized strategic plan-Adjustment Proposal (AP) Your company's AP will include: an analysis of the competition; review of your company's current status and strategy; and a plan for addressing domestic and import competition, including a description of the projects to be implemented using the federal grant funding. This process includes a cost-share.

6. PROJECT IDEAS Marketing Web development, marketing plans, market research Manufacturing Lean training and implementation, process control, equipment re-engineering Quality Certifications ISO, AR, and other quality control certifications IT System Installation, customization and training of new systems As well as many others….

7. IMPLEMENTATION Our Contract Administrator works with you and the consultant to ensure projects and payments are on-track. Consultants will be chosen by the company (though we can help with the process) to ensure you get the right person for the job. You have 5 years to complete all projects. Projects must be started after approval of the Adjustment Proposal (AP). We cannot fund projects started prior to your AP being approved and contracts written.

8. Northwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center—TAA for Firms Patrick Meuleman Client Development Manager patrick@nwtaac.org 208-343-6855 www.nwtaac.org