TAMIU SBDC Gets 2018 Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Center Award from SBA San Antonio
Texas A&M International University’s Small Business Development Center (TAMIU-SBDC) has been named the recipient of the Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Center Award bythe SBA San Antonio District Office in its announcement of 2018 District Small Business Week winners.
The wins were shared at a press conference hosted by the TAMIU-SBDC on Monday, April 23. The TAMIU-SBDC Award winners represent the largest geographic area served by the SBA San Antonio District Office, encompassing 55 Texas counties.
Two TAMIU-SBDC clients were also named 2018 District Small Business Week winners. Receiving the Financial Service Champion of the Year wasEloy Gutierrez, CPA, partner of Gutierrez, Martinez & Co., LLC.The Small Business Media Advocate of the Year Award was awarded to Cristina O. Mendoza, founder of Living Laredo.
TAMIU-SBDC director Michael Gonzalez said the recognition was historic, and much appreciated.
“This is a first-time competitive win for the TAMIU-SBDC and we are enormously proud that our efforts to champion Laredo small businesses and entrepreneurship here have been recognized among our peers’ region-wide. We’re especially happy that two of our local success stories have also been singled out as truly providing outstanding small business service,” Gonzalez said.
The Awards coincide with National Small Business Week April 29 - May 5, 2018.
They are offered in partnership with the UTSA Institute for Economic Development and South-West Texas Border (SWTXB) SBDC Network and the SBA San Antonio District Office. They serve to highlight National Small Business Week and will be awarded in ceremonies Friday, May 4 at the New Braunfels Civic Center.
Since 1963, the President of the United States has declared National Small Business Week to formally recognize the important role and contributions of America’s small businesses. National and local events recognize top entrepreneurs for their achievements to include those individuals and organizations who champion small business. Special recognition is also given to SBA resource partners and community organizations for their outstanding efforts in business and entrepreneurial development.
Other San Antonio District Small Business Week winners are:
Small Business Person of the Year
Lockhart
Minority Small Business of the Year
San Antonio
Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year
San Antonio
Women Owned Small Business of the Year
Pflugerville
Small Business Champion of the Year
San Angelo
SCORE Mentor of the Year
Hilton Garnes – San Antonio Chapter
Doug Kennan – Austin Chapter
Since 2011, the TAMIU SBDC has had a total of 2,961 new clients and provided 14,364 counseling hours to new and existing businesses. In 2016 alone, some 63,000 businesses in the region were served.
For more information, please contact González at 956.326.2827, email michael.gonzalez@tamiu.edu, or visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 321.
Additional information is also available on the TAMIU SBDC website at sbdc.tamiu.edu.
For more information about the Award event, visit www.sasmallbusinessweek.org.
For more information about National Small Business Week, visit www.sba.gov/nsbw.
