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Posted: 5/10/19

TAMIU SBDC Historic Award Win Signals Strong Small Business Growth

 

Michael González
Michael González  

Texas A&M International University’s Small Business Development Center (TAMIU SBDC) recently received the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 2019 San Antonio District Small Business Week Center of Excellence and Innovation Award for the second year in a row.

This award honors a Small Business Development Center for excellence in providing value to small businesses and advancing program delivery and management through innovation.

Anthony Ruiz, SBA San Antonio District Office director, congratulated the TAMIU SBDC.

“Each year, during National Small Business Week, we celebrate outstanding small businesses that drive our nation’s economy like our district’s Family Owned Small Business of the Year, Cakes of Glory,” he said, “We also take the time to celebrate our resource partners like the TAMIU SBDC and we are honor to present them with the SBDC Excellence and Innovation Award for a second year in a row.”

Michael González, TAMIU SBDC director, said the recognition is an honor.

“We are honored to have been recognized for the second year in a row,” he said, “We would not have been able to accomplish this without our staff, our partners, and most importantly, our clients.”

The Award recognizes the impact that local small businesses have had in the growth of the economy, González said.

Over the past five years, the TAMIU SBDC has assisted over 3,800 small businesses, which resulted in the creation of over 1,500 jobs and the retention of over 1,500 more. These efforts also resulted in the infusion of $53.4 million in capital in our community, González said.

“This award aims to measure the impact of small business, and the innovation in the delivery of services by our office,” he said, “But make no mistake, this award is not about us. It is about the incredible impact the entire business community in Laredo has made on our economy and the economy of the State of Texas.”

The TAMIU SBDC is proud to have held innovative events such as its mobile business and food truck event, OSHA training, and cybersecurity training, González said.

“TAMIU SBDC ‘s flagship offering is the Small Business Management Certification Program (SBMCP),” he said, “The SBMCP is a 10-course series aimed at providing foundational knowledge in the start-up and scale-up of small business. The program is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary. Over the past five years, the TAMIU SBDC has graduated over 550 small business owners from the SBMCP program, many of whom have gone on to significant small business success in our community.”

The award makes the Laredo market the best market in the 55 counties that are served by the SBA San Antonio District office, González said.

For more information, please contact González at 956.326.2840, email michael.gonzalez@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 321C.

University office hours are 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

SBDC Group
Pictured after receiving the award, front row, from left to right are: Norma Rodríguez, TAMIU SBDC certified business advisor; Isabel Salazar, TAMIU SBDC certified training coordinator; Michael González, TAMIU SBDC director; Tina Rodríguez TAMIU SBDC certified business advisor; and Anthony Ruiz, district director, SBA San Antonio.

Back row: Al Salgado, representing the University of Texas at San Antonio; Cindy Solano, lead lender relations, SBA San Antonio; and Angelo Piccirillo, TAMIU certified business advisor.