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IED Programs

Our Programs Institute Home Page The Institute for Economic Development's diverse programs facilitate economic, community and business development at the local, regional and national level. Click on a specific program for detailed information.			SBDC Rural Business Program Capacity building Community assessments Business advisory services Business planning SBDC National Information Clearinghouse Market research for SBDC counselors Online learning Industry research and trends Southwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center Eligibility criteria for trade adjustment assistance Advocacy for manufacturing and service firms Services in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana Gulf Oil Spill Assistance: GOSDAA Startech Technology commercialization Enterprise formation Access to capital
South-West Texas Border SBDC Network One-on-one business counseling Research and market analysis Business skills training Ten locations in South, Central and West Texas San Antonio Small Business Development Center Confidential, 1-on-1 business counseling Business planning Financial analysis Loan packaging assistance Leadership and business training	SBDC Contracting Resource Center Business contractor services Employer services Veterans services Networking opportunities Women owned small business program Energy Saving Solutions Program (eS2) Sustainable business services SBDC International Trade Center Global trade consulting Market research Global business skills training Trade platform: SBDCGlobal.com	MBDA Business Center Management training and consulting Market research and strategic planning Government contracting and minority certifications Center for Community and Business Research Impact and feasibility studies Economic development research Market research Sustainable Business Program Business practices Disaster resilience Mabufacturing Commercialization

IED Services

How do I start a business?: Workshops and training; Confidential business advising; Market research and analysis; Access to capital; Customized services for veteran-owned, minority-��owned businesses; Technology Commercialization

How do I grow my business?: Strategic planning; Leadership development; Import competition; Loan application assistance; Employee management; B2B networking; Emerging markets; International trade

How can I help my community improve our economy?: Community needs assessment; Sustainable business planning; Emergency preparedness; Rural business development; Economic impact studies; Retail trade analysis; Capacity building; Market research and analysis

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Quarterly small business workshop calendar features free or low-cost business planning, government contracting, international trade and sustainable business workshops, seminars; register online and save

Edward and Rosamaria Clukey, longtime SBDC clients, are owners of Valcour Casework in San Antonio (photo courtesy of UTSA/Patrick Dunn) The UTSA Small Business Development Center’s quarterly calendar (January–March 2012) features more than 40 classes and workshops designed to help small businesses start, grow and succeed.

Our classes meet at the UTSA Institute for Economic Development on the UTSA Downtown Campus or at Washington Place, 215 S. San Saba. Off-campus classes take place at United SA Federal Credit Union and Helotes City Hall. See our online calendar for specific locations, fees, and registration.

“Our business plan classes are helpful to both existing and start up businesses,” said Patrice McElfresh, senior business advisor with the UTSA Small Business Development Center. “Participants begin their plan in class and take home a jump drive with the information they’ve created, to continue working at home.”

Workshop attendees may choose to take the next step and meet with UTSA’s experienced business advisors to complete their plan with free, individualized, one-on-one assistance.

Among this quarter’s workshop offerings are several brand new series and classes and our regular workshops that will appeal to both entrepreneurs starting a business and experienced business owners.

As always, aspiring entrepreneurs may learn startup basics, how to write a business plan, and how to find financing in the business startup series. Each two-hour class costs $30–$40 (online registration). Maximize efficiency and savings by taking all three startup workshops in one day (9 am-4 pm, Feb. 17) for an online fee of $100.

Take your business to the web and join the e-commerce rush with a course in how to sell on eBay (9 am- 1 pm, Feb. 23) or find out how to manage your accounts better with the QuickBook Pro I, II, and III ($100/each or $250/series).

Is your business a candidate for local, state or federal contracts? Check out more than a dozen different classes offered by the Contracting Resource Center, from grasping the basics of government terminology to preparing a GSA schedule.

Is international trade your business mission? Learn about Asian markets in our monthly breakfast series (7:30–9:30 am, Feb. 15, March 21) or explore detailed trade topics through webinars such as “Your Global Edge: High-Tech Green Energy Procedures in China” (10–11:30 am, Feb. 21).

Want to learn about making your business greener and more sustainable—while saving money? Check out “How Going Green Saves Thousand$ (various times, Feb. 9 or March 8). Sustainable building techniques (various times, Feb. 23 or March 27), sustainable manufacturing concepts (various times, Feb. 15; March 20). All this and “Green Bag” lunches (Noon, Feb. 1, March 7) are free.

NEW THIS QUARTER

“How To Do Business With …” Each meeting focuses on contracting with either VIA, UTSA, or the UT Health Science Center (12–2 pm; Jan. 27, Feb. 24, March 30). This lunch and learn is free and takes place at the UTSA Institute for Economic Development at Washington Place, 215 S. San Saba, 78207. FREE.
“10 Things You Should Know Before Starting a Restaurant” (2–5 pm; Feb. 22; March 27) includes how to plan for and market your culinary vision. Join this free series in progress at UTSA’s Downtown Campus. FREE.
“Customer Service Lunch and Learn” (11:30 am; Feb. 16 only) will address ways to cherish your customers. This workshop will assist both owners and front-line employees in discovering ways to create successful interactions with customers and clients. This one-time event takes place at UTSA’s Downtown Campus. FREE.

To view our Institute for Economic Development training and events calendar, click here. To download a pdf of this quarter's workshop calendar, go here.