The Trade Center was established in 1979, to provide export assistance to Alabama businesses and expand the state’s economy. The Center utilizes UA professional staff, export consultants, and UA student interns to provide export research, training and advising, and export financing services. It operates as a federal-state partnership program between the University of Alabama and the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Trade Center is part of UA’s Division for Research & its Office for Business Engagement Services.
The AITC is a member of the Alabama Small Business Development Center Network (ASBDC), a statewide network of 10 management and technical assistance centers. The Center is also a founding member of Export Alabama, a statewide export promotion network led by the Global Business Division of the Alabama Department of Commerce. AITC is recognized as an Associate Office of the U.S. Department of Commerce and a State Model of Excellence in International Trade by the Small Business Administration.
Affiliation with America’s Small Business Development Center Network
The America’s SBDC Network began operating in 1980 and the Alabama SBDCs make up 10 of the nearly 1000 SBDC service centers nationwide. SBDCs are located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and American Samoa.
The mission of the Alabama SBDC Network is to enhance economic growth by making Alabama small businesses more competitive through the provision of entrepreneurial assistance.