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September 3, 2013 by UTSA Intitutue for Economic Development
(September 3, 2013) Elected leaders, industry representatives and members of the community will gather at Texas A&M International University-Laredo on Wednesday, September 4, to discuss the economic impact of the Eagle Ford Shale’s oil and gas play on South Texas. State Senator Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo), South Texas Energy and Economic Roundtable (STEER) and Texas A&M International University-Laredo are partnering with UTSA to offer the free forum. The Laredo Eagle Ford Shale Economic Impact Forum is scheduled from 10 to noon in Room 116 of the Western Hemispheric Trade Center at the Texas A&M International University-Laredo Campus. Attendees will receive a free copy of UTSA’s Eagle Ford Shale economic impact study. At the forum, Senator Zaffirini will discuss the Eagle Ford Shale Legislative Caucus and current legislation impacting the South Texas
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August 29, 2013 by UTSA Intitutue for Economic Development
(August 29, 2013) The UTSA Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosted a small business roundtable featuring U.S. Rep Joaquín Castro of the 20th Congressional District. The participants included 22 business owners representing 17 companies from industries such as manufacturing, health care, retail, restaurants and professional services. All the companies are located in the 20th Congressional District. Congressman Castro and his staff, UTSA President Ricardo Romo, Jude Valdez (Vice President of Community Services), Robert McKinley (Associate Vice President for the Institute for Economic Development), and Albert Salgado (Director of the South-West Texas Border SBDC Network) were in attendance. The event was held during the congressional break because Congressman Castro wished to hear feedback from small business owners concerning their greatest opportunities for growth and their biggest obstacles to the growth of
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August 6, 2013 by UTSA Intitutue for Economic Development
(August 6, 2013) Last month, UTSA’s global reach focused on Bogotá, thriving eight million population capitol metropolis of new U.S. Free Trade partner Colombia, and an example of society emerging successfully from its past drug-crime fueled insecurity. Education and Economic Development policy were on the agenda, for the UTSA delegation led by President Ricardo Romo. While UTSA was in Bogotá, the Colombian Senate convened an International Educational Forum for input on best practices to reform their federal education law. UTSA was invited to give the primary testimony, sharing its experiences as a young and highly ranked institution. Times Higher Education ranks UTSA among the top 100 universities in the world under 50 years old. Accompanying President Romo were VP Community Services Jude Valdez, Interim VP Research Mauli Agrawal, Mexico Center/CAPRI
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July 30, 2013 by UTSA Intitutue for Economic Development
(July 30, 2013) The UTSA Institute for Economic Development recently conducted a research report for the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation (SAEDF). The report focuses on businesses that were attracted to the San Antonio area or that expanded in 2012. Twenty-five companies were included in the study representing a wide variety of industries including several national operations and data centers that continue to put San Antonio on the map as an emerging national support hub. Oil and gas industries also remain be big players in the upcoming economic landscape as Shale plays are on the rise in South Texas and around the state. Forecasts for the twenty-five firms over the first full year of operation show over $1.05 billion in total economic impact and the creation of 7,053 direct and
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July 18, 2013 by UTSA Intitutue for Economic Development
(July 18, 2013) The U.S. Small Business Administration has awarded the South-West Texas Border Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, headquartered at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), a five-year, $1.5 million contract to host the Small Business Development Center National Information Clearinghouse (SBDCNet), which services the United States and its territories. It is the first time in the history of SBDCNet that an institution has hosted the program for four consecutive terms. “The SBDCNet is a service that our clients say ‘places big business tools into the hands of small businesses,” said SBDCNet Director Deborah Schueneman. “The information that we provide to SBDC clients nationwide is information and data not normally available to them without a tremendous investment of time and money. Each request for information is
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July 17, 2013 by UTSA Intitutue for Economic Development
(July 17, 2013) The San Antonio Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center will host a delegation from the Ivory Coast to meet with local and state officials and discuss economic development opportunities on Thursday, July 25 at St. Phillip’s College. The daylong event for the San Antonio Business community allows Ivory Coast delegates to showcase potential business opportunities between San Antonio and the Ivory Coast. Additionally, the delegates will address challenges the ministry of labor, social affairs and professional trainings are facing, and meet with companies and investors involved in the mining, agriculture, oil and gas, construction and non-profit industries. “The Ivory Coast has undergone a period of national reconciliation and is aiming to return to its previous role of West African economic and trade prominence. This delegation visit
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May 31, 2013 by UTSA Intitutue for Economic Development
(May 31, 2013) The San Antonio Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has received a pair of 2013 U.S. Small Business Administration Region VI SBDC Excellence and Innovation Awards. The awards were presented to the SBDC at the district and regional levels. The San Antonio SBDC is a part of the South-West Texas Border SBDC Network and the UTSA Institute for Economic Development. It is one of the largest and most established centers within the network. It serves 10 counties surrounding San Antonio including Atascosa, Bandera, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Kendall, Kerr, Medina and Wilson. As a leader in small-business development, the San Antonio SBDC offers advising, training and research to help small-business owners and entrepreneurs start, develop and grow their businesses. In 2012, the SBDC served more than 5,300 businesses