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Dear Texas Small Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, and Resource Providers:
Texas’ unprecedented success in job creation continues to break records time and time again, and Texas again leads the nation in annual job creation with a 15.4 million strong labor force. As a driving force behind Texas’ momentum, small businesses employ nearly half of all working Texans. Our entrepreneurial spirit combined with a talented workforce keeps our economy strong and growing.
With only two 2024 Governor's Small Business Summits remaining, I am thrilled to announce over half of this year's events sold out! Over 2,700 small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs have registered to learn and expand their knowledge to ultimately grow or launch their dream business. We are proud to support the nearly 3.2 million small businesses across the state and look forward to continuing these successful summits in 2025.
Interested in having a Governor's Small Business Summit come to your community? Our office recently released the 2025 Community Interest Form, and we encourage you to reach out to your local chamber of commerce or economic development organization to complete the form for your community's consideration.
Whether you’re just starting a business or have been a Texas entrepreneur for many years, the Governor’s Office of Small Business Assistance in the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office remains committed to supporting Texans’ efforts towards achieving their dreams of building a business. The Governor’s Small Business Snapshot highlights our resources for small businesses and recent activity, as well as future opportunities where our team may be able to assist you.
— Jarvis Brewer, Small Business Advocate, Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office
With hurricane season winding to a close in Texas, the impact from hurricanes and other natural disasters seen across the state and nation this year have not gone unnoticed. Investing time in disaster preparedness means assessing risks, creating an emergency response plan, and ensuring your business and assets are covered in the event of a natural disaster.
The Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office offers a list of emergency and recovery resources for small businesses in the wake of disaster. Multiple state and federal resources can be found by visiting the Business & Community Emergency Preparation & Recovery webpage.
One program to note is the newly created Texas Micro-Business Disaster Recovery (MBDR) Loan Program, designed to facilitate loans from Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to eligible micro-businesses following declared local, state, or federal disasters in Texas, enabling them to recover quickly and continue serving their communities.
Governor Greg Abbott recently noted, "Businesses with less than 20 employees make up a vast majority of all businesses in Texas. These micro-businesses are critical drivers of the Texas economy and are often the cornerstone of our communities. They can also be the hardest hit after declared disaster strikes. The Texas MBDR Loan Program will assist our local businesses in building continued resiliency around declared disasters. Texas will continue to provide the necessary disaster preparation and recovery resources to businesses and communities across the state."
Preparing for emergencies is not just about survival; it's about ensuring your business can thrive in the face of adversity. Having a solid plan in place can minimize disruption and keep your operations running smoothly. By leveraging this program, micro-businesses can build resiliency and mitigate the economic impacts following disaster.
Micro-businesses are encouraged to reach out to their local CDFI to encourage their participation in the program before disaster strikes. For more information on the Texas MBDR Loan Program, including eligibility, application details, and other resources, visit: mbdr.gov.texas.gov.
 Pictured left to right: Jarvis Brewer, Small Business Advocate, Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office; Myra and Tim Zunker, Co-Owners, The Chandelier of Gruene; Jonathan Packer, President and CEO of the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce.
Recently at the Governor's Small Business Summit — New Braunfels, the Governor's Office of Small Business Assistance celebrated and honored four businesses from New Braunfels and the surrounding community for the contributions they have made to the state of Texas.
Among these recipients was The Chandelier of Gruene, recognized with the Outstanding Community Partner Award. In May of 2017, Myra Zunker and her husband, Tim, along with their family, opened the doors to a luxury wedding and event venue that features a 500-guest event hall, open-air chapel, and the original ranch home for guest accommodations.
Since then, The Chandelier of Gruene has become a regionally recognized destination staple for hosting area, state, and regional corporate gatherings, weddings, and non-profit and school district events. Along with many other local involvements, Myra Zunker has poured her heart into this business, which has not only fulfilled her dream of a booming family-owned and operated business but has created a warm space for the citizens of New Braunfels and surrounding areas to gather.
Check out the venue and more at chandelierofgruene.com.
Also recognized at the New Braunfels Summit were Terry and Celina Muckenfuss with Muck & Fuss Craft Beer and Burgers, awarded Outstanding Small Business; Ashley Landerman and April Ryan with 2tarts Bakery, awarded Outstanding Historically Underutilized Business Champion; and Dr. Leigha Nielson, O.D. with High5 Vision Development, awarded Outstanding Small Business Innovator.
The 2024 Governor's Small Business Summits are winding to a close with just two remaining this year. Check out what others are saying about the events, register for a remaining event, and stay tuned for the announcement of next year's communities.
"Excellent event with excellent speakers and presenters. Great use of time."
— Glenn Q., Weatherford
"The topics covered at the event were relevant to what is happening in our community. Good information shared by the panelists and business owners."
— Carina P., El Paso
"We have attended two [Governor's Small Business Summits]. Each time we walk away with new information and ideas to help and grow our business."
— Kevin G., Buffalo
"[The Governor's Small Business Summit] was extremely beneficial! I believe anyone who has a small business should attend. I am so thankful for everyone who spent time organizing and putting together the event."
— Katelyn S., Buffalo
"I had an excellent experience at the Governor's Small Business Summit. The event was incredibly well-organized, and every session provided valuable information that was both practical and relevant."
— Sheila R., New Braunfels
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Information on demand: Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or established business owner, the Governor’s Small Business Resource Portal is easy to use and offers a customized list of resources to assist you. |
Texas Small Business Credit Initiative Program
The latest list of approved financial institutions participating in the Texas Small Business Credit Initiative (TSBCI) Program is available for small businesses to review. Additionally, a new, simplified application process has launched for financial institutions to apply.
The TSBCI Program supports small business growth and helps create new jobs through increased access to small business funding. The program assists all small businesses but focuses on traditionally marginalized entities and those that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
There is a potential for up to $472 million in funding available through the program. Through participating financial institutions, Texas administers two TSBCI Programs:
It's now easier to apply! Financial institutions interested in participating in the TSBCI Program may navigate the simplified application process by launching the TSBCI Portal linked below.
Did you know?
In 2021, Congress enacted the bipartisan Corporate Transparency Act to curb illicit finance. This law requires many companies doing business in the U.S. to report information about their Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI)—the individuals who ultimately own or control the company—to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
FinCEN began accepting reports on January 1, 2024.
- Companies created or registered prior to January 1, 2024, will have until January 1, 2025 to report BOI.
- Companies created or registered in 2024, must report BOI within 90 days.
- Companies created or registered after January 1, 2025, must file BOI within 30 days.
There may be penalties for not complying with this requirement. Learn your company's reporting requirements, see FAQs, and more at fincen.gov/boi.
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Happy Veterans Day to all who have served! We thank our state's many veterans for their service to our country and for their significant impact on our state.
In Texas, we are proud to be the No. 1 state in the U.S. for jobs created by veteran business owners and we offer a multitude of resources for veteran-owned businesses on our .
Job Fair: Texas veterans are encouraged to attend the Texas Workforce Commission's statewide hiring event that connects veterans, transitioning military members, and military spouses to employers across Texas.
The Small Business Assistance team travels to communities around the state throughout the year to meet with small businesses and share information on the resources available. We look forward to seeing you at one of the upcoming events!
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November 6: Arlington Chamber of Commerce Monthly Meeting
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November 14: Governor's Small Business Summit — Wichita Falls
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December 4 - 6:Texas Workforce Commission Annual Conference in Grapevine
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December 5: Governor's Small Business Summit — Kaufman
Be sure to follow us on social media or check back at our events page as more information is released for each event.
 It was an honor to have Governor Greg Abbott at the Governor's Small Business Summit in El Paso. Held during Hispanic Heritage Month on September 19, Governor Abbott touted the contributions Hispanic Texans make to the great Texas economy.
Watch on demand: Find the full panel and keynote sessions from the event on our YouTube channel. View photos from the event.
 First Lady Cecilia Abbott joined the women-focused Governor's Small Business Summit in New Braunfels on October 16. With the keynote address, First Lady Abbott celebrated the positive impact women business owners and entrepreneurs have on their families, communities, and state. Stay tuned to watch full panel and keynote sessions on YouTube.
 On September 5 at the Governor's Small Business Summit in Weatherford, Founder and CEO of Meat Church BBQ Matt Pittman joined Director of Communications & Marketing for the City of Weatherford Amy Borders for a keynote on Business Growth & Resiliency.
Watch on demand: Find the full panel and keynote sessions from the event on our YouTube channel. View photos from the event.
 On October 11 in San Antonio, Small Business Advocate Jarvis Brewer attended the Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Breakfast, hosted by the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center, to discuss where Texas stands, where Texas is going, and how plans will benefit the Alamo area.
Other recent small business meetings and events:
- A Governor's Small Business Summit was held in Plainview on August 8. View photos from the event and watch full panel and keynote sessions on YouTube.
- Small Business Advocate Jarvis Brewer was in Dallas for the H-E-B Quest for Texas Best Info Session & Resource Fair on August 9.
- Small Business Advocate Jarvis Brewer spoke at the Leadership Central Texas event hosted by the Central Texas Council of Governments in Belton on August 15.
- A Governor's Small Business Summit was held in Odessa on August 22. View photos from the event and watch available panel and keynote sessions on YouTube.
- A Governor's Small Business Summit was held in Buffalo on September 19. View photos from the event and stay tuned for panel and keynote sessions to be available on YouTube.
- Small Business Advocate Jarvis Brewer was at The University of Texas at Arlington for the Business Beyond the Battlefield Conference 2024 hosted by the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) on October 10.
- A Governor's Small Business Summit was held in Sweetwater on October 31. Stay tuned for photos from the event on Facebook and panel and keynote sessions to be available on YouTube.
Two Texas cities have ranked among the top 20 Best Cities in the World for Entrepreneurs by SumUp, a global financial technology company: Dallas (#13) and Austin (#16). Houston made the top 30, coming in at number #29.
SumUp's research considered everything from the number of millionaires per city, tax regulations, quality of life, internet speed, networking clubs, international airports, and more.
Read the full article here.
 Pictured: Klyde Warren Park in Dallas by Jaime Hudson / Travel Texas
 Pictured: Downtown Austin Skyline by @dylanguidone / Travel Texas
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