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America’s SBDCs help make the dream of small business ownership a reality for more Americans — creating jobs and opportunities that build communities throughout the nation.
See how the Texas Gulf Coast SBDC Network has served its communities.
Coronavirus Impacts a Hotel's Occupancy Rates in Rural Waller County
Nilay Rania of Americas Best Value Inn & Suites in Waller County encountered SBA application difficulties that resulted in repeat loan rejections. To get help navigating SBA's loan application process, Rania sought help from Prairie View A&M University SBDC. He was matched with Jasmin Espy. Espy went a step further and connected Rania with SBDC CARES Specialist Rebecca Schultz. Shultz provided direction and clarification on the appeal submission process, email response interpretation, and more.
Ruthie's Tex-Mex Bounces Back In Phase 3 Of Reopening Texas
In an effort to save his business from the negative impacts of COVID-19, William Solis of Ruthie's Tex-Mex reached out to Tori Rayne, advising director at Fort Bend County SBDC. Rayne encouraged Solis to apply for SBA's disaster loans and any applicable grants. He received the PPP loan in May, 2020, and the EIDL and Fort Bend County Grant in August, 2020. The financial assistance enabled him to retain his employees, hire two additional full-time employees, and hire one part-time employee.
THE UH SBDC Network Works Closely with Entrepreneurship Incubators
Houston Center SBDC continues to work with the University of Houston Technology Bridge, an innovation community providing an entrepreneurial environment supporting startups working out of the university, as well as incubator labs designed to support chemical, materials and life science research and development and startups. Moreover, San Jacinto College SBDC is working with The Cannon, an entrepreneurship/incubator, to jointly locate a facility in the Pearland area to house business startups.
SBA's EWCP Supports Gap Engineering to Construct Water Treatment Facilities in Ghana
Mike Homma of Gap Engineering was awarded a contract for a feasibility study to refurbish/construct water treatment facilities in Ghana. Due to the scale of the project, funds were needed in the form of Working Capital to hire support staff. Funding also needed to be structured with a guarantee that only SBA could offer, but a business plan and cash flow projections needed to be developed to finalize the loan request. With help from Fort Bend SBDC, Homma received a loan from SBA's EWCP for $4.5M.
After attending SBDC's Grow Smart program, I now have a better understanding of my financials and I feel more comfortable forecasting next year's numbers. I also received tools to create a more elaborate strategy moving into 2021. Highly recommend it.
Warren Broadnax, CEO, She's Happy Hair
UH SBDC Network Offers Cutting-Edge Technology Resources to Clients
Clients at the Sam Houston State University SBDC have access to the University's Cyber Forensics Intelligence Center, which offers leading research and cutting edge cyber forensic investigation resources. Additionally, Brazos Valley (BV) SBDC Director Jim Pillians serves on the BV EDC Entrepreneurship & Innovation Planning Committee. The area has emerged as the center of Texas' emerging biotechnology hub, providing access to research, resources and facilities to support the development of pharma.
$32.3M
$32.3M
Total Number of COVID-19 Recovery Loans
(PPP, EIDL, EIDL Advance, Business Disaster Loans, etc.)
El Bolillo Bakery Receives PPP Loan and Retains All Staff Members
Kirk Michaelis's bakery, El Bolillo, was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. As a result, Michaelis requested assistance from his SBDC advisor, Herbert Hildebrand, to prepare and submit the necessary documentation for a PPP loan. Hildebrand worked with the business owner and his bank, Comerica, to properly complete and submit the PPP loan application. El Bolillo received a PPP loan, has remained open during the pandemic, and has retained 275 primarily Hispanic employees.
Veteran-Owned Roofing Company Saves Jobs with SBA Loan
Jason Roberts, owner of 12 Stones Roofing in LaPorte, TX, suffered a downturn in his roofing business and requested EIDL relief, which was denied. Roberts then asked his SBDC advisor, Herbert Hildebrand, for assistance. Hilderbrand reviewed prior EIDL documentation, reasons for denial, and worked with Roberts to make corrections and resubmit the EIDL request. 12 Stones Roofing received $150,000 in EIDL funds and has been able to maintain it operations with 10 jobs saved and 4 created.
Women-Owned Nail Salon Opens During COVID-19, Hires 10 Employees
Trinh Huynh, owner of Hello Beautiful Nails & Spa, successfully opened her new business during the COVID-19 crisis. Huynh invested her own money into the business. The pandemic and resulting restrictions delayed startup and caused initial issues. However, she was able to open and has employed 10 local nail technicians. A new startup, Huynh received the following help from Kim McLerran of Sam Houston SBDC: feasibility study, business planning, business advising and human resource assistance.
Sam Houston SBDC Helps Faith-Based Organizations Navigate COVID-19 Relief Opportunities
Our Sam Houston State University SBDC assisted a number of faith-based organizations, including the Alpha Omega Academy (pictured), regarding COVID-19 disaster relief. The SBDC also promoted the importance of participating in the US Census count with the local chamber of commerce and the local rep of the US Department of Commerce.
