Business Resources

San Antonio’s African-American business/entrepreneurial community has cultivated a rich history which includes the creating of a chamber of commerce and an area chapter fund of San Antonio Trust Fund; building churches, business complexes, hotels, funeral homes, sports complexes, colleges, schools, retail stores, cleaners, daycare facilities, community centers, restaurants, salons/spas, night clubs, newspapers, etc.  The 21st century adds new adventure and different types of businesses to Chamber operations.  A Time that brings fresh approaches to continued history making, living up to a 73 year legacy, and becoming a more significant influence in the business culture and economic matrix of San Antonio, Texas and surrounding areas.

The basic principle of purchasing and an indispensable element of the American economic system is free and vigorous competition. As public buyers expending public funds, the Purchasing Department of the Alamo Community College District (ACCD) fully endorses the above concept.

This information brochure was prepared with the sincere hope that it will be helpful to all vendors engaged in selling supplies, materials, equipment and/or services who would like to do business with the ACCD.

Bexar County is committed to increasing the involvement of SMWBE in its procurement process. Similarly, the County promotes SMWBE participation in its Tax Phase-in Program to support the growth and diversity of a regional economy.

To make it easy and convenient to assist entrepreneurs and existing businesses, the Economic Development Department provides a full range of business services. The Small Business Division offices are located at 100 West Houston Street, Suite 1900. The Small Business Liaison is housed in the Cliff Morton Development and Business Services Center at 1901 S. Alamo, San Antonio, Texas 78204. The Small Business Liaison is your first stop for business assistance and an on-going resource as your business grows. Our Professional staff will meet with you to discuss permitting, licensing and regulatory issues. We'll provide initial counseling on the following issues: sources of capital, developing a business plan, marketing strategies, forms of business organization, government procurement and other vital topics. To receive a customized "Starting Your Business" guide call our office at (210) 207-3900 or request online.

 

CCCS of Greater San Antonio is a 501(c)(3) non-profit member agency of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). We are fully accredited by the Council on Accreditation and have been helping South Texans manage their debts since 1984. Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater San Antonio (CCCSSA) is licensed by the Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner as a Debt Management Service Provider.  CCCSSAalso uses the name of CCCS of Greater San Antonio.  Texas regulation requires that Debt Management Service Providers meet certain criteria, including maintenance of a bond to ensure payment of your creditors, and other standards for counseling and financial integrity.

CPS Energy depends on a variety of parts, services and materials to increase and enhance electric and natural gas services we provide to our customers. Supply Chain (formerly known as the Purchasing and Small Business Development Department), is responsible for acquiring these services and encompasses three functional business areas: Contract Services; Materials Management: and Fleet Services.

The following pages provide useful information on our procurement activities and current solicitation opportunities to parties interested in doing business with CPS Energy. Our goal is to maintain an effective and efficient procurement process for our purchasing categories including general commodities, general services and others. We seek to maximize the bidding opportunities to vendors and invite all businesses to participate in our bidding process.

The Chamber has been serving businesses in San Antonio since 1894. Our goal is to continuously improve the business climate and build opportunities for growth for San Antonio and our region. We accomplish this through programs focused on advocacy, economic development, events and direct services to our members.

On February 4, 2010 City Council adopted the Inner City Reinvestment / Infill Policy. It is the policy of the City of San Antonio to promote growth and development in the heart of the City, specifically in areas that are currently served by public infrastructure and transit, but underserved by residential and commercial real estate markets. It is the intent of this policy to coordinate public initiatives within targeted areas in order to stimulate private investment in walkable urban communities that are the building blocks of a sustainable region. To accomplish the objectives of the Inner City Reinvestment / Infill Policy (ICRIP), the entire range of public incentives is made available under this policy, including regulatory, procedural, and financing incentives. To apply for City fee waivers and SAWS impact fee waivers, contact  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization program (NCR) - The City of San Antonio Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization Program works with grass roots organizations to promote the revitalization of neighborhood commercial districts by attracting consumers, private sector investment and employment opportunities to targeted commercial corridors.

On February 24, 2011, the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) announced that more than 1,000 residents living at Alazan-Apache Courts and Mirasol Homes will have the opportunity to participate in a new employment and community building program – the Jobs-Plus program – thanks to the recent award of $500,000 annually over five years.

The Alamo Asian American Chamber of Commerce (Alamo AACC) is a non-profit organization, originally established in 1996 by a group of local Chinese restaurant owners. Due to the demanding schedule of the restaurant industry, the Chamber became dormant beginning in 1999.

The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is the first organization of its type in the United States, having been originally chartered as the Mexican Chamber of Commerce in 1929. Today, there are about 35 Hispanic chambers of commerce in Texas and about 600 across the nation.

The Mexican Chamber was organized by Don Enrique Santibañez, Consul General of Mexico in San Antonio, who became its first president. Given the deep historical and commercial ties and tensions between the U.S. and Mexico, the chamber’s primary emphasis in its early years was to promote trade, policy and cultural harmony.

While the chamber’s leaders forged ahead to define modern Hispanic business, the social climate of the time posed many barriers. Minorities faced discrimination in business, just as in employment, education, voting, infrastructure, access to capital and markets. These social issues necessitated that the chamber go beyond the traditional scope for chambers of commerce and into one of dual social and business advocacy. 

Entrepreneurs have access to professional and confidential business advising, a variety of quality training programs, and an extensive referral network at the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). With the addition of business advisors who live and work in your local community, success is just around the corner! Benefits of contacting your local SBDC include:

San Antonio Water System is committed to helping Small Minority Women owned businesses. We know that getting information on contracting opportunities or earning certification can be overwhelming but SAWS is a resource you can depend on.

SAWS staff can help you with information on upcoming contracting opportunities as well as help you and your business find the resources needed to get certified as an SMWB business. Whether your business focuses on construction or other professional services, we can help you identify contracting opportunities.

We're proud to be a resource for you and your business.

SCORE® is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people start a business… your business. Our consultants are business professionals who have encountered every obstacle you may face, and they are ready to advise you on your path to success. We can help you realize your entrepreneurial dreams. FREE counseling by appointment only. Register today!

Please call (210) 207-2500 to register, or register by selecting your desired date and time below.

The South Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (SCTRCA) is a non-profit corporation that represents several public entities in the South Texas area. These entities are committed to enhancing participation for disadvantaged, minority and woman owned businesses in public/government contracting and purchasing activities.
Sunday, March 18, 2012

  
The SCTRCA is committed to ensuring that only firms meeting the eligibility criteria or 49 CFR Part 26 participate in contracting and procurement as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE). A Small Business Enterprise, Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) are certified in accordance to SCTRCA Standards.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a special funding tool used by the City of San Antonio to promote public and private investment in areas where little to no private sector investment is currently taking place. A portion of collected taxes are contributed to a fund that is used to help revitalize a designated area of town called a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ). The funds are used to build and repair roads and infrastructure and rehabilitate historic facilities and existing vacant buildings.

Now a function of the Planning & Community Development Department, the TIF program has evolved since 1998 to ensure that TIF funds fully support the City's primary revitalization programs and initiatives. 

Learn more about the City's TIF Program at our Frequently Asked Questions page ....Read More

The State Purchasing teams award and manage hundreds of statewide contracts on behalf of more than 200 state agencies and 1,900 local government CO-OP members.
With a massive marketplace and billions of dollars in purchasing power, Texas offers abundant opportunities for vendors of a wide variety of goods and services, including minority- and women-owned businesses. Texas is focused on maximizing best value in purchasing through a continuous process of analysis and optimization that promises additional efficiencies and cost savings.

The Empowerment Zone (EZ) is an initiative designed to promote economic development in distressed communities by using tax incentives as catalysts for private investment. Businesses located within the Empowerment Zone are eligible to take advantage of Federal tax incentives to hire residents and to expand or improve their business operations. Increased business development within the Zone affects job opportunities for residents and improves access to goods and services, promoting long-term community revitalization.

University Health System currently has over 5,000 employees with an operating budget of $949 million for 2012. University Health System’s Procurement Services is responsible for acquisition of all equipment, goods and services for all locations

Since its founding on July 30, 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration has delivered millions of loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses. SBA provides assistances primarily through its four programmatic functions:

To promote the commercial, economic and social well-being of the western community of San Antonio and its members. We promote unity among our members by supporting their common interests. Advocating for our well-being, and aiding in your business development.