SBDC To Honor Past, Future Business Startup Clients

All About Business--The counseling staff serving the nine-county Middle Rio Grande region of the Small Business Development Center take bows at Thursday's recognition breakfast in Eagle Pass for SBDC's clients. From left: Justin McDaniel (Uvalde), Oscar Sierra (Del Rio), Cynthis Gomez and Elizabeth Pena (Eagle Pass), Maria Martinez (Carrizo Springs), Maricela Brown and Rosario Benavides (Eagle Pass). More than 75 SBDC clients, along with dignitaries and entrepeneurs from throughout the region, gathered to exchange information, socialize and be congratulated for succeeding with small business enterprises during tough economic times.

Eagle Pass – As a salute to the success of entrepreneurs it has helped, as well as the offer of
assistance to Southwest Texans who are planning new business ventures, the area’s Small Business Development Center plans a Client Recognition Event, Thursday, October 29, at the International Trade Center here.

“These are hard times to be starting up or even succeeding with a new business,” explained
SBDC Director Luis Urbina. “This event is all about recognizing achievements, offering guidance and providing the resources to stay the course.”

The program starts at 9 a.m. with breakfast and a networking session.  From throughout the region, more than 125 SBDC clients, scores of chamber of commerce members and public officials have been invited.  Awards will be presented to SBDC clients and a special message of encouragement from Texas Governor Rick Perry will be screened along with the video,
“Texas: Wide Open for Business.” The program concludes at 10:30 a.m.

“Anyone contemplating the startup of a new business shouldn’t miss the opportunity to find out about all the support that is available through the SBDC, the State of Texas, federal programs, and especially by networking with entrepreneurs who’ve reached their goals with such assistance,” emphasized Urbina.

Registration, a $50 value, is free for the first 100 participants who RSVP by October 20. Contact Maricela Brown, SRSU-Rio Grande College SBDC: (830) 758-5024 or mbrown@sulross.edu.