Network of Resources

At the Greater San Marcos Partnership (GSMP), our business is to know the resources that can assist you in overcoming the obstacles interfering with your company’s growth. We play a support role to several programs and systems throughout the Texas Innovation Corridor and we have collaborative partnerships with a wide variety of local resources.

Network of Resources
Starting and/or Growing A Business

Think BIG San Marcos - No-cost, one-on-one customized business and financial coaching through the City of San Marcos.

Austin SCORE - Non-profit organization of volunteers to mentor small businesses

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network – The Texas State SBDC provides long-term advising assistance for pre-ventures and existing small businesses

State of Texas Small Business Handbook – A complete overview of starting and running a small business in Texas. You will find resources on starting a business, tax responsibilities, licenses, permits, employer requirements, financing, and certifications

Small Business Administration – The Small Business Administration guide will provide guidance on various things regarding planning, launching, managing and growing your business

Texas Business Licenses & Permits Handbook – This handbook provides resources on licenses and permits required for each industry type

Expanding Business to New Locations – A complete guide on expanding your business to a new location in regard to laws, rules, and regulations that might be exist

Governor’s Office of Economic Development – This website has many valuable resources, specifically the Governor’s Small Business Resource Portal, information for Veteran, Minority and Women-owned businesses, financing resources, webinars and more

Marketing Resources

Marketing is much more than “getting your name out there.” Get informed on how to conduct market analysis, develop marketing strategies, identify your competition and obtain templates to help with preparation of cash flow, breakeven, and collateral estimates. Online training is also available for conducting a marketing analysis, targeting markets, and protecting your business with patents, copyrights, and trademarks. 

SCORE

Using your website for marketing 

Marketing Research

Business Incubators and Co-Working Opportunities

Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Park, the site of STAR One, is the technology incubator program that matches the innovation of scientific academic endeavors with commercial interests. Here, companies have access to Texas State University students and research labs to develop new technologies.

Additionally, the Texas Innovation Corridor is home to several co-working spaces for entrepreneurism and small businesses. They include:

Human Resource and Workforce Resources

General Human Resources

Texas Workforce Commission

Texas Workforce Commission Skills Training Funds

 Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area – our region’s workforce resource for employers and job-seekers

 Austin Community College – Community college serving workforce training needs in Hays & Caldwell counties

Funding Opportunities

Central Texas Angel Network - provides quality early-stage investment opportunities for accredited Central Texas angel investors. 

Alternative Lending Sites

Micro Lenders

Micro lenders are more willing to loan money to startup business. Interest rates are usually higher than for commercial banks and limit loan amounts to around $50,000. The following sites are micro lenders: 

SBA loans

Made by lending institutions: banks, credit unions and micro-lenders 

Loans

Veterans

The Online SCORE Counselors provide business advice to the military community.  

This U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) site provides resources to help veterans with business development. 

Contracting & Certification Programs

HUBZONE Contracting Program

The HUBZONE Program (Historically Underutilized Business Zones) Contracting Program encourages economic development in underutilized business zones by

allowing for federal contract set-asides for small businesses in economically depressed communities.

Women-Owned Small Business Contracting Program

The WOSB Contracting Program provides greater access to federal contracting for economically disadvantaged women. WOSBs must be 51% owned and controlled by women.

8(a) Business Development Program

The 8(a) Business Development (BD) Program offers a broad scope of assistance to firms that are owned and controlled at least 51% socially and economically disadvantaged individual(s).

State of Texas HUB Program (Historically Underutilized Business)

HUB Certification through the Statewide HUB Program requires specific information about the small business and supporting documentation to substantiate and verify the business structure is HUB eligible. Eligible businesses then have an advantage to bid on state procurement opportunities.

Click on forms to get HUB certification application: HUB Certification Application

International Trade Resources

U.S. Commercial Service

The U.S. Commercial Service, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, offers companies a full range of expertise in international trade, including:

  • Export Trade Counseling

  • Foreign Market Intelligence

  • Business Matchmaking

Social Media channels: Instagram (@USCommercialService)LinkedIn (@USCommercialService) and Twitter (@USCommercialSvc)

Local contact is Ms. Karen Parker, International Trade Specialist.
Email: Karen.Parker@trade.gov

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Foreign Trade Zone of Central Texas # 183

A Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) is an area within the United States which is designated by the federal government as outside of U.S. Customs territory. Business using FTZs can reduce customs duties and fees and achieve logistics benefits for the import and export of goods.

The Austin region, which includes Hays & Caldwell counties, is served by FTZ 183, the Foreign Trade Zone of Central Texas, Inc., and is run by a board of directors appointed by the cities and chambers in the Austin metropolitan area. The Austin Chamber of Commerce is the administrator for FTZ 183.

Freeport Exemption

The freeport exemption is a business personal property tax exemption on inventory that is in Texas for a short time – 175 days or less – and will be transported outside of the state. In Hays and Caldwell counties, businesses enjoy a triple freeport exemption, which is exemption from taxes from the city, county, school district as well as special taxing entities. Applications must be submitted to the county appraisal district. For general information and application forms, go to the Texas State Comptroller website.

Department of Commerce Free Trade Agreement Help

Free trade agreements (FTA) between the United States and select trading partners provide low or duty free access and other benefits, including, stronger intellectual property protection, fair treatment for U.S. investors, greater U.S. exporter input into FTA country product standards, and increased opportunities for foreign government procurement and U.S. service providers.  

Regional Hiring Resources

Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area

Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area offers employers the opportunity to post job positions and participate in Workplace Wednesdays, their virtual weekly job fairs. Jobs and resumes are collected at www.workintexas.com.

Contact:

Veerachai "Ty" Turapan
veerachai.turapan@ruralcapital.net
512-392-1291 ext.3056 

Hire a Bobcat/Career Services at Texas State University

Texas State University, which graduates more than 9,000 students annually, offers employers a variety of hiring services through their Career Services portal. 

Austin Community College Career Services

Austin Community College Career Services invites employers to post job and internship openings on our online job boards and campus bulletin boards. Employers who post jobs or internships must receive prior authorization and adhere to ACC recruiting guidelines.

ACCEYSS Network

ACCEYSS is a San Marcos-based coalition focused on providing underrepresented and underserved youth with access to STEM and Agriculture pathways through Entrepreneurship and the Arts. The organization helps faith-based and grassroots organizations with resources and funding so that the STEEAAM equity gap can be bridged in their communities.

Contact:
Mallorie Blevins
acceyss@gmail.com

Community Action, Inc.

Community Action develops opportunities for people and communities to realize their potential by providing resources and comprehensive services to empower Central Texans of all ages to become self-sufficient.

Contact:
Doug Mudd
dmudd@communityaction.com

Texas Veterans Commission Employment Services

The Texas Veterans Commission offers employment services to Texas veterans and helps employers find qualified veteran job applicants. To bring that vision into reality, TVC-Employment Services provides sound job coaching and pathways to overcome employment barriers. In conjunction with assisting our veterans, the commission's Veterans Employment Representatives (VERs) work diligently to communicate and assist employers with understanding the unique benefits and simple procedures involved with hiring Texas Veterans.

Texas Workforce Commission, Just for Veterans Program

The Just for Veterans Program offers veterans the chance to connect with employers and maximize their employment opportunities as they transition into civilian life. The program allows veterans to search for jobs offered by employers, receive priority service at Texas Workforce Solutions offices and get information on transition assistance and benefits.