Archives for 2017

The 35th Annual 2017 MED Week Awards Ceremony will recognize minority entrepreneurs and minority-owned businesses that have exemplified excellence and innovation across various industries and have contributed to San Antonio’s economy.  SAN ANTONIO, October 5, 2017 – The UTSA Institute for Economic Development’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center San Antonio will host its 35th Annual Minority Enterprise Development Week (MED Week) from October 9-13, 2017. This year’s theme, “Bridging Generations,” highlights area entrepreneurs and businesses from across generations that have impacted the San Antonio region. Funded by the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, the MBDA Business Center San Antonio is part of a nationwide network of more than 40 MBDA business centers that have business specialists who support minority businesses

SAN ANTONIO, September 18, 2017 – In the days since Hurricane Harvey’s Texas landfall last month, UTSA’s South-West Texas Border (SWTXB) Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network has been coordinating efforts with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to assist Texas small businesses impacted by the devastating Category 4 storm, which yielded unprecedented damage and destruction. The SWTXB SBDC Network comprised of 13 SBDC centers across 79 counties throughout Central, West, and South Texas, includes affiliate centers at the Del Mar College SBDC in Corpus Christi, University of Houston-Victoria SBDC, and Texas State University SBDC in Austin. All three affiliate centers have coordinated with FEMA and the SBA to provide disaster assistance to small businesses in the affected areas. Many business owners are dealing with personal losses, in addition to

The UTSA Institute for Economic Development has worked with 20 countries in the western hemisphere to transfer the U.S. SBDC model abroad, strengthening foreign economies and creating market access for U.S. businesses.   SAN ANTONIO, (August 22, 2017) – Less than two years since Chilean President Michelle Bachelet celebrated the opening of Chile’s first Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Valparaiso, the country commemorated the completion of its national SBDC network with the opening of its 51st Center in early August. Robert McKinley, UTSA sr. associate vice president for economic development, and Cliff Paredes, SBDC International Trade Center director, attended the commemoration ceremony; the two spearheaded UTSA’s efforts to guide Chile through President Bachelet’s initiative to support inclusive development across her country. In 2015, Chile began implementing the U.S. SBDC

Oil rig counts in the Eagle Ford Shale region began to rise after bottoming in 2016, and are expected to continue rising steadily in 2017.   SAN ANTONIO, (June 21, 2017) – Commissioned by the South Texas Energy and Economic Roundtable (STEER), The University of Texas at San Antonio’s (UTSA) Center for Community and Business Research (CCBR) completed the latest Eagle Ford Shale (EFS) study in June. The study titled, “Economic Impact of the Eagle Ford Shale, Business Opportunities and the New Normal” provides new trend data and updated economic impact analysis across 2014, 2015 and, 2016. Access the Full Study: “Economic Impact of the Eagle Ford Shale, Business Opportunities and the New Normal” at bit.ly/EFS_Report2017 Dr. Thomas Tunstall, senior research director for CCBR, which is hosted at UTSA’s Institute

UTSA SBDC Satellite Office offers training and services to help entrepreneurs thrive SAN ANTONIO, May 11, 2017 — The UTSA Small Business Development Center (UTSA SBDC) Satellite Office in New Braunfels is reopening its doors for business after undergoing a major renovation to better serve the community. The Satellite Office operated out of a temporary location for two months. For six years, the UTSA SBDC has proven to be a valuable asset by providing workshops and professional, confidential business advising services to the business community. The UTSA SBDC strengthens the Comal and Guadalupe county economies by offering local entrepreneurs with education, mentorship, business training and networking services. Since 2012, the UTSA SBDC has provided more than 10,600 hours of advising to 1,855 clients, resulting in 86 business starts, 87 business

UTSA Small Business Development Center pilots webinar series to increase access to industry experts   SAN ANTONIO, (May 12, 2017) – In an effort to increase access to small business development trainings for clients of Texas Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), the South-West Texas Border SBDC Network is launching a webinar series called #SBDCStream from its lead center at The University of Texas at San Antonio. The San Antonio Small Business Development Center (SASBDC), hosted at UTSA’s Institute for Economic Development, will conduct the network’s first web-based training this month. #SBDCStream is a unique approach allowing SBDCs across rural and metropolitan Texas to participate in real-time streaming workshops led by business experts. SBDCs from across the SWTXB Network will rotate hosting the reoccurring #SBDCStream while partnering SBDCs will facilitate live

UTSA, Small Business Administration District Office Celebrate Entrepreneurs for National Small Business Week   SAN ANTONIO, May 4, 2017 – In partnership with the Small Business Administration (SBA) San Antonio District Office, the UTSA Institute for Economic Development and South-West Texas Border SBDC Network gathered to recognize the 2017 District Small Business Week winners for an awards ceremony at the Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade. Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has declared National Small Business Week to recognize the important role and contributions of America’s small businesses. National and local events recognize top entrepreneurs for their achievements to include those individuals and organizations who champion small business. During today’s ceremony, special recognition was given to SBA resource partners and community organizations for their

With more than 300 attendees from 90+ Texas cities, the Texas Rural Challenge is the largest conference of its kind in the state   (San Antonio, February 20, 2017) – Early registration is now open for the Texas Rural Challenge, an annual conference hosted by the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Institute for Economic Development–Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Rural Business Program. With a focus on economic development in rural Texas, the SBDC Rural Business Program has partnered with the City of Waco and numerous agencies across Texas to launch its 8th annual Texas Rural Challenge (TRC) conference in Waco, TX from June 29-30. This year’s conference, “Empowering Rural Texas,” will focus on small business growth, community and economic development, and leadership. The two-day conference will feature keynote speakers,

(San Antonio, February 2, 2017) — The UTSA Institute for Economic Development continues to create jobs, spur business growth and promote economic development. As reported in its newly released 2016 annual report, the Institute had a $1.9 billion direct economic impact nationwide. During the 2016 fiscal year, the Institute: Served 41,359 business and community clients Provided trainings and workshops to 28,720 participants Managed 8,009 consulting cases Helped launch 591 new businesses Help expand 531 existing businesses Supported the creation of 7,517 new jobs and the retention of 7,442 jobs Overall, the Institute comprises 10 centers and programs dedicated to creating jobs, growing businesses and fostering economic and community development, and serves greater San Antonio, the Texas-Mexico border area and regional, national and international stakeholders. Last year, businesses such as San