Tag Archives: Small Business Administration

Reminder of SBA Disaster Relief Deadline

hail, disaster relief

City of McAllen Emergency Management officials are reminding businesses that the deadline to apply for disaster relief for damage related to the severe thunderstorm, large hail and straight-line winds of April 28, 2023 is fast approaching. The low-interest loans are available to businesses in Brooks, Cameron, Hidalgo, Kenedy, Starr and Willacy counties. The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience federal disaster loan for economic injury is…

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SBA Offers Assistance After Winter Storms

Winter storm

Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to Texas businesses and residents as a result of President Biden’s major disaster declaration. The declaration covers 77 Texas counties as a result of the severe winter storms that began on Feb. 11. Lower Rio Grande Valley District counties included in declaration are Aransas, Cameron, Hidalgo, Nueces and San Patricio. “SBA is strongly committed to providing Texas with the most effective and customer-focused…

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National Veterans Small Business Week Nov. 2-6

The Small Business Administration celebrates veteran-owned businesses across the country Nov. 2-6 with National Veterans Small Business Week. This is the seventh year the SBA offers entrepreneurial trainings and resources right in local communities to service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses. This year’s theme is #VetBiz Resources in Your Local Community, highlighting the breadth of free to low-cost entrepreneurial resource offerings right in veterans’ own…

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Lone Star Steps Up To Help

Restaurants like this one in Brownsville are the type of businesses that applied for SBA emergency loans. (VBR)

Lone Star National Bank President David Deanda knew he and his staff had the challenge of a banking lifetime before them.  The outbreak of COVID-19 had brought the South Texas economy to a sudden and shocking halt. Small businesses in the Rio Grande Valley were soon desperate for help. The federal government offered two lifelines. One was the Paycheck Protection Program. The other was the Economic Injury Disaster program.  Both…

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PPP Loan Applications Resume April 27

Paycheck Protection Program

The Small Business Administration will resume accepting Payroll Protection Program loan applications on April 27 at 11:30 a.m. CDT from approved lenders on behalf of any eligible borrower. The announcement comes today from administrator of the Small Business Administration Jovita Carranza and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. According to the application announcement, “the PPP has supported more than 1.66 million small businesses and protected over 30 million jobs for…

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Pointing a Business Skyward

Esteban Mejia Jr., founder and owner of Sky I.T. Solutions

Esteban Mejia Jr. has the restless energy of an Air Force veteran who once worked long shifts as a nuclear cruise technician. Returning home, the Mercedes native built an information technology business from scratch. He’s now working to extend his brand. “My dad would tell me, growing up, ‘Never back down from work,’’ he said. “So I’m always thinking, ‘what else, what else can I do?’” Mejia is the founder…

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Grow Your Business Through Mentorship

mentor

When you start a new business, the possibilities are endless. From the type of products or services to deciding a company name, you can take any direction you want. Being your own boss can also come with challenges. When you own a business, it’s up to you to set priorities and make decisions. You may encounter situations you haven’t faced before and feel unsure about how to proceed. Fortunately, you…

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Getting Started: Resources for Entrepreneurs 

Libraries are an easily overlooked resource with workspaces, wifi and business resources.

Starting a business is one of the most rewarding, but perhaps difficult things you can do. Part of the reason is that there’s an infinite number of ways you can go about it. I always tell would-be entrepreneurs that opportunities are only limited by our imagination. This is great and inspirational, but is usually followed by puzzled looks and questions on how to get started. The answer depends on where…

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SBA Forum Gives Local Businesses a Platform

Rhett Davis

Region 6 Small Business Advocate Rhett Davis of the SBA’s Office of Advocacy host two local small business regulatory forums March 28. The forums are held in an effort to further the goals of presidential executive orders on regulatory reform. The goal of the visit is to hear directly from small business owners about federal regulations that concern them. This is an opportunity for small businesses to educate the Office of Advocacy through first-hand…

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Emerging Leaders Launches in South Texas

Emerging Leaders

South Texas small businesses are now eligible for the SBA’s 2019 Emerging Leaders Initiative. The program provides “no cost” intensive entrepreneurship education as well as training to those who want to elevate their businesses to the next level. As an offering from the Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office, the course includes nearly 100 hours of classroom time. Participants also have opportunities to work with experienced coaches and mentors. Additionally, small business owners and…

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