The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity’s director Sean McCarthy says in a news release that in an increasingly global economy, companies need to look beyond domestic markets. And he says that with less than one percent of U.S. companies exporting their goods, foreign markets present a “huge growth opportunity” for small companies in Illinois.

The money awarded by the Small Business Administration goes to a program in which small companies can participate in group trade missions, prepare international marketing campaigns and take part in other activities.