Small Business Assistance
The Small Business Assistance in the Office of the Governor serves as a focal point in assisting small and historically underutilized businesses. It also provides sources of contacts and research information that will assist with federal, state and local business issues for small businesses. Statewide information is available via two websites Texas Online Business Portal and Governor’s Small Business website. These sites give potential entrepreneurs and business owners resources to business information.
In addition the section operates a toll free information number (800-888-0511) and addresses calls from constituents. In response to individual constituent requests, the Small Business section sends information via fax, email and correspondence related to business start-ups, capital formation, local business support referrals and business plan development.
Governor’s Small Business Summits are a full day of discussion and education on a variety of topics of common concern to small business. How to get financing from myriad sources, Historically Underutilize Businesses (HUB) certification, healthcare options, and how to do business with the state are the major topics of discussion. To date, seven summits have been held in the following Texas cities: El Paso, San Antonio, Tyler, Edinburgh, Lubbock, Houston and College Station.
In addition to the topics above, numerous state agencies and higher education entities attend the summits with procurement opportunities and show small business owners how to bid on contracts with the state.
The Texas Business Portal was developed by the Office of the Governor as a one-stop-shop for both early stage and mature businesses that want to do business in Texas. It features links to a number of local/state/federal agencies that provide business support services and programs. Also, the Office of the Governor is working on expanding the function of this portal to include a “permit streamlining process” to allow business owners to apply for all of their licensing and permitting requirements online through a single application.
For More information about small business in Texas visit the Governor’s website and the Texas Small Business Assistance website
