Small Business

Small Business Resources

There are many resources available for residents that are either looking to start up their own small business or to expand their existing business. For more information on how to do business with the federal government, visit our Federal Business Opportunities page.

  • The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal agency that provides loans and grants to small businesses. Their site has a Loan and Grant search tool to find the perfect tool to start or expand your small business, and also has a plethora of information sources for developing your business plan, brand, and customer base. 
    • Lower Rio Grande Valley District , Harlingen Branch Office . 222 East Van Buren Avenue Suite 500, Harlingen, TX 78550. Phone: 956-427-8533
    • Lower Rio Grande Valley District, Corpus Christi Branch Office. 3649 Leopard Street Suite 411. Corpus Christi, TX 78408. Phone: 361-879-0017
    • Online tool for Small Businesses: The SBA has recently developed an online tool for local small businesses to If you are a small business owner, you need to know how your business stacks up with the competition in order to succeed. SizeUp will help you manage and grow your business by benchmarking it against competitors, mapping your customers, competitors and suppliers, and locating the best places to advertise.

 

  • The University of Texas-Pan American - Small Business Development Center (SBDC) "is a collaboration with the U.S. Small Business Administration, The University of Texas-Pan American, and public and private partners throughout deep South Texas. SBDC provides a wide array of management and technical assistance to business owners and entrepreneurs to strengthen business performance and sustainability." -SBDC website.
    • 2412 S Closner UTPA Annex Suite 160.  Edinburg, TX 78539-2999. Phone: 956-665-7535

 

  • The Women's Business Center - Southwest Community Investment Corp. "The mission of the Women’s Business Center (WBC) is to promote the growth of women-owned businesses by providing business training and technical assistance, helping with access to credit and capital, and identifying federal contract and trade opportunities." -From WBC website.
    • 2314 W University Drive Suite 230 COMPASS Bank Bldg. Edinburg, TX 78539. Phone: 956-380-2800

 

  • The Veterans Business Outreach Program (VBOP) "is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and mentoring, and referrals for eligible veterans owning or considering starting a small business. The SBA has sixteen organizations participating in this cooperative agreement and serving as Veterans Business Outreach Centers"-VBOC website.
    • 2412 South Closner, Edinburg, TX 78539-2999. Phone: (956) 665-7567

 

  • The UTPA Rio South Texas Procurement Technical Assistance Center "The Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) was authorized by Congress in 1985 in an effort to expand the number of businesses capable of participating in the government marketplace. The UTPA PTAC has been in existence since 2009 and we have helped in obtaining over $2 million in contracts! Administered by the Department of Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), the program provides matching funds through cooperative agreements with state and local governments and nonprofit organizations for the establishment of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) to provide procurement assistance." -PTAP website
    • 2412 South Closner. Edinburg, TX 78539. Phone: (956) 292-7556