Texas Border Business
HARLINGEN – Expanding the base of small business exporters and making the process as easy as possible is a key component of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) small business strategy. For that reason, the SBA’s Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office has organized an export resource meeting at the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council located at 301 W. Railroad, Weslaco on Wednesday, November 15th from 9am to 11am. Small businesses, Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development agencies and other stakeholders are encouraged to attend.
The SBA invited Mr. Alberto Rodriguez-Baez, Sr., International Project Manager at the San Antonio Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Export Center to visit the Rio Grande Valley to share practical and relevant information about how to successfully conduct international business development and marketing campaigns in Latin America. He will also discuss the programs and services the MBDA Export Center can provide to area businesses interested in exporting.
Additionally, SBA’s Maria Perez, Lender Relation Specialist will present the SBA’s enhanced export guarantee loan programs to support businesses that sell to foreign buyers. One of the big advantages of SBA export programs is that they typically offer lending partners a 90% loan guarantee. That compares to a 75% guarantee offered on standard SBA loan guarantees and a 50% guarantee on Express guarantees.
“This meeting is an opportunity to learn about the resources available to grow your business through exports,” Lower Rio Grande Valley District Director Angela Burton said. “Ninety-five percent of consumers live outside the U.S.”
In September, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced $18 million in funding had been awarded to 44 State international trade agencies through SBA’s competitive State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), to support export growth among U.S. small businesses.
Texas was awarded more than$742,000 to increase both the number of small businesses that begin to export and the value of exports for small businesses currently exporting. Information on the STEP grant will also be provided.
To RSVP or for more information about the meeting contact Reynaldo Vasquez at (956) 427-8533, or email reynaldo.vasquez@sba.gov.
