Business Development and Support Division

Kapolei, HI—It is a common experience for nonprofits to struggle with maintaining staff or programming year after year depending on what grant funding is available or actually awarded. Knowing the value of the programs that these organizations run on behalf of their respective communities, DBEDT’s Community-Based Economic Development Accelerator is looking to mentor and support ...
Read More Community-Based Economic Development Accelerator Program Looking for State-wide Nonprofit Applicants

Hilo, Hawaii, May 22, 2015 – State Director Chris J. Kanazawa today announced that $30 million available to farmers, ranchers and food entrepreneurs to develop new product lines. Funding will be made available through USDA’s Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program.   “The Value Added Producers Grant (VAPG) program not only enables farmers and ranchers with ...
Read More Value-Added Producer Grants Available for Ag Producers

The Hawaii State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) has again applied for a grant from the State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) program of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to increase the number of local small businesses that want to export as well as the value of exports for those small businesses that currently export. Hawaii’s State Trade and Export Promotion Program, known as HiSTEP, is built on a multifaceted approach that begins with comprehensive export assistance, readiness, counseling and training that leads into a menu of targeted activities designed to generate new export sales for participating small businesses from key industry sectors.
The previous grant we received, $703,505, allowed for a total HiSTEP budget of $1,012,333, as the state and its partners provided the additional $308,828 in cash and in-kind services. With this grant, we assisted Hawaii businesses to achieve $21 million in new exports; creating a total economic impact of $32.25 million; generating $13.8 million in state taxes; and creating 220.5 jobs.

Courtesy of UH Hilo Stories Mrs. Ige, first lady of the state of Hawaiʻi, visited the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo on May 8 and learned about several innovative science and technology programs. After visiting several high schools earlier in the day, Dawn Amano-Ige arrived at the UH Hilo campus in the afternoon and met ...
Read More Hawaii’s first lady visits UH Hilo, learns about science and technology programs

Courtesy of University of Hawaii News The Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) congratulates the University of Hawaiʻi, the University of the Ryukyus and Meio University on the signing of a memorandum of a understanding that proposes to  form an international network—the International Consortium for Okinawan Studies—for studying and teaching about Ryukyu and ...
Read More International Okinawan studies agreement signed

Hawaii Enterprise Zones Partnership Program         Date: Tuesday, June 30, 2015 Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m Venue: Maui Arts & Cultural Center Haynes Meeting RoomAddress: One Cameron Way, Kahului 96732     Is your company currently enrolled in the Enterprise Zones (EZ) program? If not are you interested in reducing your ...
Read More FREE Maui Business Workshop

Jason Ubay Reporter- Pacific Business News Innovation is not only for startups, and mature companies need to innovate and change with the times in order to survive. Retailers and business experts will discuss putting innovation into the business plans of mature companies at an event on April 23 at the YWCA of Oahu’s Laniakea headquarters ...
Read More PBN: Experts to discuss putting innovation into your annual business plan at Honolulu event

The Forum brings together representatives from various government agencies to discuss contracting opportunities to small businesses looking to start or expand opportunities as a government contractor. Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2015Time: 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.mAddress:  1690 Pu`umalu StreetHonolulu, Hawai‘i 96818Cost: $60 per person Morning Presentations (Tentative) Contracting Opportunities in 2015 with the Air Force, ArmyRCO, Army ...
Read More 13th Annual Hawai`i Small Business Forum

One-Day Workshop Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2015  Time: 9 am – Noon  Venue: The new Homer A. Maxey International Trade Resource Center / 2nd Floor Main Conference Room Address:  Free Trade Zone #9 Suite M401 , 521 Ala Moana Blvd.           Is your company looking to grow, find new markets or expand your ...
Read More Riding the Global Wave

Hawaii Enterprise Zones Success Story So Ono Food Products, LLC By: Chelsea Cooper and Dean Pescador, Hogan Entrepreneurial Program You’re at the supermarket staring at the delicious-looking pineapples, only to come across one of the greatest grocery shopping dilemmas: Do I pick the goldest looking one? Should I thump them to make sure it sounds ...
Read More So Ono Keeps Fresh with Help from EZ Program