Small Business Resources

Starting and maintaining a small business can be difficult.  Below is a list of federal and state agencies that provide assistance such as guaranteed loan programs to small businesses. 

Additionally, my office has created a Small Business Brief for those looking for more information.  To view this brief, click here.

BusinessUSA

BusinessUSA is a centralized, one-stop platform to make it easy for businesses to access services to help them grow and hire.  BusinessUSA has resources from 14 federal agencies available on one site.

 

US Small Business Administration

The SBA site provides open, publicly accessible forums and communication tools for entrepreneurs & small business owners to learn, share, and discuss practical solutions to everyday business problems.  Since 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration has delivered millions of loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses. 

Export-Import Bank of the United States

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) is the official export credit agency of the United States. Ex-Im Bank's mission is to assist in financing the export of U.S. goods and services to international markets.

Ex-Im Bank enables U.S. companies — large and small — to turn export opportunities into real sales that help to maintain and create U.S. jobs and contribute to a stronger national economy.  Ex-Im Bank provides working capital guarantees (pre-export financing); export credit insurance; and loan guarantees and direct loans (buyer financing). No transaction is too large or too small. On average, more than 85% of transactions directly benefit U.S. small businesses.

 

Minority Business Development Agency

MBDA, an agency in the U.S. Department of Commerce, helps create and maintain U.S. jobs by promoting the growth and global competitiveness of large, medium and small businesses owned and operated by members of minority communities.

Through a national network of more than 40 business centers and a wide range of domestic and international strategic partners, MBDA provides Agency clients with the technical assistance and access to capital, contract opportunities and new markets that they need to create new jobs.

 

United States Department of Agriculture

USDA works with private sector and community-based organizations to provide financial assistance and business planning in rural areas to create or preserve quality jobs and promote a clean rural environment in under-served areas. Recipients include individuals, corporations, partnerships, cooperatives, public bodies, nonprofit corporations, Indian tribes, and private companies.

USDA has a variety of loan programs to help small businesses in rural areas including the Rural Development Loan Assistance Program, which provides direct or guaranteed loans, grants, technical assistance, research and educational materials.

 

United States Farm Service Agency

FSA's farm loan programs can be used to establish, improve, expand, transition, and strengthen farms or ranches.  FSA has different types of loans available.  Farm ownership, operating, and conservation loans are available under the Guaranteed Loan Program.  Farm ownership, operating, emergency, and conservation loans are available under the Direct Loan Program.

 

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization.

 

United States Commercial Service

The U.S. Commercial Service helps companies export goods and services worth billions of dollars and offers trade counseling, market intelligence, business matchmaking, and commercial diplomacy.

 

Jobs for Texas

Jobs For Texas, or J4T, is a program designed to increase small businesses’ access to capital and enable private entrepreneurs to make market-driven decisions to grow jobs. The J4T program won a $46.5 million award from the U.S. Department of the Treasury as part of the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI).

TDA designed the J4T program to assist small businesses in accessing capital necessary to grow, and spur other investments that create jobs. The J4T program helps Texas maximize new opportunities for research, development, technology advancement and entrepreneurship.

 

Texas Workforce Commission for Small Business

TWC provides programs that assist with employee training and funds to help pay for the training through the TWC’s Skills for Small Business program. Additionally, TWC offers counseling and education resources to new businesses.