COVINGTON, Ga. - Congratulations to SMP Corporation as a first round winner of the annual Atlanta Metro Export Challenge, a grant program targeting companies with innovative export strategies. Each semi-finalist will receive a reimbursement grant up to $5,000 to apply toward expenses related to building export capacity and activities.

Nearly 100 companies applied for the twenty-eight available grants. Winners demonstrating export success during the second half of 2017 will be invited to the second round of competition at Pitch Day – a Shark Tank style pitch session. Awards will be issued to the top three companies selected for First Place of $20,000, Second Place of $10,000 and Third Place at $5,000.

This competition is one of the key components of the Atlanta Metro Export Plan (MEP), an initiative launched June 2015 to stimulate economic growth in the region and create quality jobs through exports.
Funding for this program was committed by a grant from JP Morgan Chase & Co. in the amount of $100,000, along with UPS in the amount of $25,000 and Partnership Gwinnett for $5,000.

SMP Corporation is located in Newton County. They are a master distributor of film including, polyester film sheeting, window tinting film and digital print film. President Paul Kwak started this company nine years ago and is exciting that they are still growing and developing new products.  He will use this award to help develope business both domestically, in Korea and China.  It is exciting to have one of our local industries recognized within the Metro Atlanta 29-county region.