LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A U.S. Small Business Administration representative says Nebraska small business owners who feel daunted by international markets have thousands of dollars in federal money available to help them.

Regional administrator Patricia Brown-Dixon awarded the state $300,570 in grant money at a ceremony Monday to aid the state’s small businesses in expanding foreign exports.

The money is part of the federal State Trade and Export Program, which Gov. Pete Ricketts says has been used by 62 Nebraska businesses and created over $30 million in exports in the past three years. Brown-Dixon says companies that export are less likely to fail.

Representatives from previous grant recipients say the money has been instrumental in establishing international relationships and translating marketing materials.