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Dear Texas Small Business Owners, Entrepreneurs and Resource Providers:
Recognized once again as the Best State for Business — now for an unprecedented 21st year in a row — and also named the Best State to Start a Business, Texas is proud to offer small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs the freedom and opportunities to flourish.
But we're not stopping there. With Governor Greg Abbott's signing of Senate Bill 14, also known as Texas DOGE, Texas is doubling down on its commitment to small business success. Based on recommendations from Governor Abbott's Small Business Freedom Council, this legislation established the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office designed to cut red tape, slash existing regulations and applies stricter standards to any new regulations that could be costly for businesses. By reducing unnecessary burdens and holding new laws to higher standards, Texas will ensure small businesses continue to grow, innovate and succeed.
It's no secret: Texas is proud to champion its small businesses. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office if there is ever a need for friendly assistance. We look forward to speaking with you!
— Jarvis Brewer, Small Business Advocate, Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office
Please join us in celebrating the bold spirit and resilience of Texas' entrepreneurs! Governor Abbott released a proclamation designating May 4 - May 10, 2025, as Small Business Week in Texas.
Texas' small businesses are leading the way in economic growth, not just in Texas but across the nation! With over 3.3 million small businesses operating in Texas — making up more than 99% of all businesses in the state, and employing nearly half of all working Texans — small businesses are a driving force behind Texas' record-setting job creation, innovation and exporting status. In fact, because of the hard work and determination of our small businesses, Texas is the top exporting state for the 23rd year in a row, with small businesses accounting for more than 92% of all Texas exporters.
Throughout the year — and especially during Small Business Week — the Governor's Office of Small Business Assistance is proud to spotlight and support our entrepreneurial community. From the Governor's Small Business Resource Portal to the Governor's Small Business Summits and Webinars, Texas is committed to equipping businesses with the tools needed to succeed. Because when small businesses succeed, Texas succeeds.
Ready to join the celebration?
Be sure to follow @TexasEconDev on all platforms for updates and resources as we place a spotlight on Small Business Week in Texas. You can additionally show your appreciation by:
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• Downloading the official Small Business Week in Texas badge to use on all promotions.
• Use the hashtag #SmallBizWeekTexas in your social media posts.
• And most importantly, shop local — supporting your local small businesses in a direct way! |
"The Summit was very informative and opened my eyes to many resources I did not know existed. Extremely beneficial for someone new to small business!" - Governor's Small Business Summit — Uvalde attendee.
"I received a plethora of knowledge to assist me on the journey of solidifying my business. I was able to network with likeminded businessmen and women. I left feeling empowered and with a clearer direction of where I am headed and what needs to be done to run a successful small business." - Governor's Small Business Summit — Orange attendee.
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Information on demand: Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or established business owner, the Governor’s Small Business Resource Portal will provide you with the most relevant resources and contacts to assist you in starting or growing your business in Texas.
Types of information included in the portal:
- Federal, State and Local Resources
- Business Advice and Growth Assistance
- Funding Sources
- Licensing and Permitting Information
- Additional Specific Resources & Contacts
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Watch on your schedule. The Governor's Small Business Webinars provide updates on resources and topics from subject-matter experts. Playbacks are available to watch online.
Resources to fit your needs. The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Catalog compiles resources currently operating within the state and connects Texas innovators and entrepreneurs with resources that can best meet their needs; from business accelerators, incubators and co-working spaces, to venture capital and pitch programs.
Blueprint to build a stronger Texas of tomorrow
Texas has enjoyed extraordinary economic success in the past decade. The new "Bigger. Better. Texas.” Economic Development Strategic Plan helps position Texas to capitalize on our success and capture the promise of our future economy in order to maintain our competitive edge in the years ahead.
Our vision is simple: ensure Texas remains the premier place to visit, live, work and grow a business. And it will take all of us to ensure Texas’ regions, industries and residents continue to thrive for years to come.
Everyone has a role to play in building our future economy. We welcome and encourage the many individuals and organizations who are driving growth in the state to join us in this effort to build a bigger, better Texas for decades to come!
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In Texas, everything is big — that includes small business! Home to more than 3.3 million small businesses, Texas is focused on ensuring our state remains the best in the country to start and run a business. Please see the below programs to learn more about loan opportunities for small and micro-businesses in the state:
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Texas Small Business Credit Initiative (TSBCI) Program: supports small business growth and helps create new jobs through increased access to small business funding. The latest listing of approved financial institutions (FIs) is now available online as well as a new, simplified application process for financial institutions. FIs should launch the TSBCI Portal to apply, and small businesses should reach out to an approved lender!
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Texas Micro-Business Disaster Recovery (MBDR) Loan Program: provides zero-interest loans to eligible CDFIs for purposes of making interest-bearing loans to qualifying micro-businesses that have difficulty in accessing capital following a declared disaster. CDFIs are encouraged to apply to participate in the program now—before disaster strikes.
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 or webinars!
Be sure to follow us on social media or check back at our events page as more information is released for each event.
 The Governor's Small Business Summits are well under way! Pictured above is Small Business Advocate Jarvis Brewer delivering closing remarks at the most recent Summit in Orange.
Watch on demand: Find full panel and keynote sessions from the events on YouTube. View photos on Facebook.
 Small Business Advocate Jarvis Brewer served on a panel at the Economic Resilience Luncheon in Austin on April 29, hosted by the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
 The Governor's Office of Small Business Assistance team attended the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC) 30-year celebration as the National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center (NIST MEP) for the state of Texas on May 1 in Round Rock.
Other recent small business meetings and events:
- Small Business Advocate Jarvis Brewer virtually presented to an audience of small- to medium-sized businesses at the GO TEXAN Quarterly Partner Meeting on February 6, hosted by the Texas Department of Agriculture.
- The Governor's Office of Small Business Assistance hosted, in partnership with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, a Governor's Small Business Webinar Series: Navigating the HUB Certification on March 5. The webinar covered HUB eligibility requirements, how and where to get certified, various vendor resources and other FAQs. See more information and watch previous webinars on demand by visiting our website.
- Jarvis Brewer shared impactful resources at the annual Veteran EDGE Business Showcase and Resource Exhibition in Addison on March 20, hosted by Syracuse University's D'Aniello Institute for Veterans & Military Families.
- The Governor's Small Business Summit — Uvalde was held on March 27. Find full panel and keynote sessions from the event on YouTube. View photos on Facebook.
- The Governor's Small Business Assistance team celebrated 25 years of the City of Austin's Small Business Division on May 6 in Austin.
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