The Small Business Development Center is the largest management and technical assistance program for small businesses in the United States. Enacted by the U. S. Congress in 1980, the program is administered by the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and is supported by Congressional appropriations. The program is operated by state governments and hosted by universities and colleges under cooperative agreement. The purpose of the program is to enhance the development of small business enterprises through counseling, technical assistance and training services. Today, there are over 1,100 service centers throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.
Description:
Advisory Services:
The El Paso SBDC offers free confidential advisory services in the following areas:
- Business Start-Up
- Business Planning
- Business Analyses
- SBA Financing Programs
- Sales and Marketing
- Financial Forecasting
- Minority Enterprise Certifications
- Government Contracting
- International Trade
- Manufacturing
- Product Development & Commercialization
- Research
- Training
Goal:
The mission of the El Paso SBDC is to promote growth, expansion, innovation, increased productivity, and improved management for small businesses. The mission is accomplished through activities of counseling, technical assistance, training seminars, and research services. The program is hosted by El Paso Community College in cooperative agreement with The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Funding is provided by SBA, UTSA, and El Paso Community College.
Courses offered:
- Small Business Management Institute, a 48-hour certificate program
- QuickBooks Pro Training Series, a 48-hour program
- Essential in Starting a Business
- Income Taxes & E-file
- International Trade Series
- Manufacturing & Innovation
- Human Capital & Personnel Management
- SBA Financing Programs
- SBA 8(a)//SDB Minority Enterprise Certification
- Business Planning
- Cash Flow Management
- Free On-line Training (variety of topics)
See Class Schedule
U.S. Small Business Administration
SBDC Success Story
George M. Elias
D/B/A
JIDO, LLC and Barbeque Texas, L.P. dba Famous Dave’s BBQ
1360 George Dieter
El Paso, TX 79936
Mr. George Elias, who owns the local franchise rights for Famous Dave’s BBQ, a restaurant franchise that offers a barbeque menu in several states, opened the first and only Famous Dave’s in Texas in May 2005 at 7501 N. Mesa St. A year after he took ownership of the restaurant franchise in 2005, George Elias is at the helm of an operation with one location in West El Paso and a second location that opened on October 29, 2007. “There’s a lot of growth out there, and demographics support it,” Elias said. “We think we’re a destination restaurant anyway. Once you’ve tried it, the brand speaks for itself,” added Elias. The 6,500 square feet facility in East El Paso features a full bar and catering service.
George Elias met with Ms. Olga Tavárez, Assistant Director at the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) as a result of a referral from First Savings Bank. Mr. Elias successfully secured an SBA 7A/CAIP loan to lease/occupy a fully equipped restaurant site in East El Paso. Ms. Olga Tavárez provided Mr. George Elias with guidance, technical assistance and loan packaging. “Having gone through this process really helped me understand and appreciate the need for this service,” stated Elias. “The assistance I received helped me carry out my plan in a more efficient manner,” added Elias.
Contact Information:
Name: Roque R. Segura, Director
Phone: (915) 831-7744
Email: rsegur12@epcc.edu
Campus: ASC B Bldg.
Room: 534