The UTSA Institute for Economic Development was one of five organizations nationally to be selected as a host for a Small Business Administration (SBA) Town Hall as part of National Small Business Week. The Town Hall will take place from
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6 in the Buena Vista Building Aula Canaria (BV 1.328) room at the UTSA Downtown Campus. SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet, a member of President Obama’s Cabinet, will lead the discussion on “Access to Capital: Fueling the Financial Engine of Small Business Growth” and agency initiatives to address the opportunities and challenges facing entrepreneurs. Former San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros and Congressman Lloyd Doggett will also be participating on the panel.
“This year, during National Small Business Week, we recommit ourselves to those fearless entrepreneurs who plan well, work hard, and dream big. Every business starts small. Nike, Apple, FedEx, Ben & Jerry’s, Under Armour and Outback Steakhouse were all once small businesses, until they found an SBA lender or investor to work with them,” said Sweet.
Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation declaring National Small Business Week to recognize the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs, who create nearly two out of every three new U.S. jobs each year. This year National Small Business Week will be recognized from May 4-8 with national events planned in Miami/Boca Raton, Los Angeles, San Antonio, New York City and Washington, D.C.
For over 35 years, the UTSA Institute for Economic Development has been a driving force for small business success in San Antonio. The Institute houses a variety of centers and programs geared towards providing high quality business advising, cutting edge training, and top of the line research. The SBA is a funding source for the Institute’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) Network which extends from the U.S./Mexico border economies of El Paso, Alpine, Uvalde and Laredo, down to the Valley, to the Plains economy of San Angelo, through the Central Corridor of Austin and San Antonio, and as far east as the Gulf Coast economies of Victoria and Corpus Christi.
“UTSA has partnered with SBA for three decades as their Small Business Development Center Network for South-West Texas, and is a top-performer on the national level providing access to capital, markets, technology and strategic growth consulting. Please join us to talk business growth with SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet at the SBA Town Hall event on May 6,” said Robert McKinley, associate vice president for economic development.
UTSA will also recognize local small business winners and advocates at its annual Small Business Week Awards Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 14 at the Omni Colonnade.Join UTSA as we recognize local small business winners and advocates at our annual Small Business Week Awards Luncheon on May 14 from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm at the Omni Colonnade. For more information on the event and winners visit sasmallbusinessweek.org
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May 6th Town Hall: Open to the public
Register (free): https://nsbwsanantonio.eventbrite.com
Media Availability: 1:30 pm – 1:50 pm (press box available), BV 1.322
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