Great Lakes Trade Adjustment Assistance Center

What Great Lakes Trade Adjustment Assistance Center does

Great Lakes Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (GLTAAC) is a non-profit program administrator established in 1983 that manages the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) program on behalf of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) for manufacturers in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. The organization operates as part of the Economic Growth Institute at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and has assisted more than 300 import-impacted small and mid-size manufacturers over four decades. GLTAAC delivers a structured three-phase service—Qualify, Plan, and Implement—that includes eligibility assessment, Adjustment Plan development, and project management for matching-fund disbursement to outside consultants.

Its core offering is not a technology product but a service program. Eligible companies that have experienced at least a 5% decline in both sales and employment due to import competition can receive up to $75,000 in TAAF matching funds over a five-year period, paired with consultant selection, project oversight, and administrative paperwork handling by GLTAAC staff. Funded project categories include lean manufacturing, strategic digital marketing, product launch, new technology development, talent acquisition, and quality certification. Phase 1 is free; Phase 2 costs companies $1,000–$2,000 with EDA covering 75%; Phase 3 involves 50/50 cost sharing. GLTAAC does not operate proprietary software, an app, or an API, and functions as an unbiased intermediary between manufacturers and vetted private-sector consultants.

GLTAAC's revenue model is grant-based rather than commercial: it receives EDA funding to administer the program and disburse matching funds, with the most recent disclosed grant being a $1.4 million award in 2022. The go-to-market motion is sales-led and partner-driven, relying on direct outreach, economic development professional networks, MEP Centers (The Right Place, Magnet, TechSolve, Purdue MEP), state economic development agencies (MEDC, IEDC, ODSA), chambers of commerce, and industry associations to identify and refer qualifying manufacturers. Reported client outcomes include a 97% five-year survival rate, 78.6 Net Promoter Score, and 9.4/10 average satisfaction rating.

Name

Great Lakes Trade Adjustment Assistance Center

Legal name

Great Lakes Trade Adjustment Assistance Center

Website

https://www.gltaac.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Great Lakes Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (GLTAAC) is a federally funded, non-profit administrator of the TAAF program that provides matching funds, consulting access, and project support to small and mid-size import-impacted manufacturers across Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan, operating under the Economic Growth Institute at the University of Michigan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Ann Arbor

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. TAAF Program Administration: GLTAAC administers the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) program, a federal program funded by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The organization does not generate commercial revenue but receives government grants to manage the program and provide matching funds to qualifying manufacturers. GLTAAC has received $1.4 million grants to continue operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

GLTAAC administers the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) program for import-injured small manufacturers in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. It guides companies through a three-phase process (Qualify, Plan, Implement) and provides up to $75,000 in matching funds to co-pay for private-sector consulting projects aimed at improving competitiveness. GLTAAC handles all program paperwork and project oversight at no cost during Phase 1, with cost-sharing in Phases 2 and 3.

Product overview

The Great Lakes Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (GLTAAC) is a federal program administration organization that manages the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) program for manufacturers in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. Rather than offering a software product, GLTAAC provides a structured three-phase service program: (1) Qualifying assistance to help companies determine eligibility and prepare petitions, (2) Planning services to develop Adjustment Plans with prioritized improvement projects, and (3) Implementation support including co-funding management, consultant coordination, and project oversight. The program offers up to $75,000 in matching funds (dollar-for-dollar) to help import-injured small manufacturers hire third-party consultants for business improvement projects including lean manufacturing, sales development, quality certification, technology development, and operational optimization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Phase 1 – Qualify (Eligibility Assessment & Petition Preparation) Free eligibility assessment and petition preparation service for small manufacturers in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan that have experienced at least a 5% decline in sales and employment due to import competition. GLTAAC compiles the TAAF application from company data at no charge.
• Phase 2 – Plan (Adjustment Plan Development) Structured consulting engagement to develop a prioritized Adjustment Plan of business improvement projects for qualifying manufacturers. Companies pay $1,000–$2,000 with the EDA covering 75% of costs.
• Phase 3 – Implement (Project Co-Funding & Oversight) Project implementation service in which TAAF pays 50% of project costs directly to approved private-sector consultants, up to a maximum of $75,000 per company over up to 5 years. Companies match the contribution, for a total program value of up to $150,000.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% five-year survival rate for TAAF clients
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Economic Growth Institute at University of MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGLTAAC is part of the Economic Growth Institute at the University of Michigan. This affiliation provides institutional support, access to university resources, and credibility as a program administered through academia.
• Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) CentersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGLTAAC works with regional MEP centers including The Right Place (Michigan), Magnet (Northern Ohio), TechSolve (Southern Ohio), and Purdue MEP (Indiana) to provide comprehensive services to manufacturers. MEP centers often lead lean manufacturing and other improvement projects for TAAF clients.
• Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMEDC is the economic development agency for Michigan. GLTAAC works with MEDC to reach manufacturers in the state who may benefit from TAAF assistance.
• Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIEDC is Indiana's state economic development agency. GLTAAC collaborates with IEDC to serve Indiana manufacturers.
• Ohio Development Services Agency (ODSA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorODSA (formerly Ohio Department of Development) is Ohio's economic development department. GLTAAC partners with ODSA to reach Ohio manufacturers.
• Other Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers (TAACs)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGLTAAC is one of 11 TAACs across the country in a national network. While each center serves its own region, they share best practices and coordinate under the national TAAF program administered by EDA.
• Chambers of Commerce and Local EDOsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGLTAAC works with Chambers of Commerce and Local Economic Development Organizations across Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan to refer local manufacturers to the TAAF program.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• SCORE: SCORE is a national nonprofit network providing free mentorship and business advice to small businesses, including manufacturers. It overlaps with GLTAAC in serving small manufacturers but operates via volunteer mentors rather than co-funded consulting engagements.
• Small Business Development Centers (SBDC): SBA-funded SBDCs provide free consulting to small businesses, including manufacturers, across the U.S. They are a broader incumbent in business advisory services, overlapping with GLTAAC on competitiveness and growth support but without the import-specific eligibility filter.
• National Association of Manufacturers (NAM): NAM is the largest U.S. manufacturing industry association, advocating for policy and providing resources to manufacturers of all sizes. As an industry-wide incumbent, it overlaps with GLTAAC's audience (small/mid-market manufacturers) but does not deliver co-funded consulting projects.

Direct peers

• Other Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers (National TAAC Network): GLTAAC is one of 11 TAACs nationwide; peers include centers serving other regions (e.g., New York, California, Texas). They administer the same TAAF program in their own territories, share best practices, and operate under identical EDA funding rules — the most directly comparable organizations.
• Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers: NIST's MEP program operates a national network of centers (e.g., The Right Place, Magnet, TechSolve, Purdue MEP) that deliver consulting, lean manufacturing, and growth services to small manufacturers. GLTAAC already partners with MEP centers and competes for similar clients and federal support.
• Economic Growth Institute (University of Michigan): The parent organization housing GLTAAC. The Economic Growth Institute runs multiple applied research and economic development programs serving Michigan manufacturers, making it both parent and peer in the regional manufacturer-support ecosystem.

Regional players

• Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC): IEDC is Indiana's state economic development agency and a GLTAAC channel partner. Comparable to MEDC in serving as a state-level economic development and business assistance provider for Indiana manufacturers.
• Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC): MEDC is Michigan's state economic development agency and a GLTAAC channel partner. It offers grants, incentives, and business services across a broader scope (not import-specific), making it a regional peer in the small-manufacturer support ecosystem.
• Ohio Development Services Agency (ODSA): ODSA (now part of the Ohio Department of Development) is Ohio's primary economic development agency and a GLTAAC channel partner, providing broader business assistance programs to Ohio manufacturers.

Others

• Regional Manufacturers Associations (e.g., MAGNA, Ohio Manufacturers' Association): State and regional manufacturing industry associations (e.g., Ohio Manufacturers' Association) provide member services, advocacy, and referrals. GLTAAC partners with such associations for outreach, making them ecosystem peers rather than direct competitors.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Great Lakes Trade Adjustment Assistance Center