Rural Business Program

Transcription

1 Rural Business Program - Program Overview - West Texas Energy Consortium

2 Rural Business Program Service Area 79-County Area 10 Centers

3 About the Rural Business Program The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Rural Business Program is a specialty center affiliated with the University of Texas at San Antonio s (UTSA) South-West Texas Border SBDC Network, a 79-county service area that covers the Gulf Coast of Texas as well as South and West Texas. Supports economic, business, and community development in rural communities by providing applied economic research; community, strategic, and business planning; and capacity building for stakeholders engaged in economic or community development activities. The program assists rural communities identify local and regional assets as well as capture opportunities to expand and diversify local economies leading to the creation of jobs and increased sustainability. Our partners include the UTSA Institute for Economic Development, North American Development Bank, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Texas Department of Agriculture, U.S. Small Business Administration, UTSA College of Architecture and College of Public Policy, State of Texas, and other local, state, and national organizations.

4 Community Colleges & Universities Workforce Training Centers Local School Districts Trade & Technical Schools 3 Pillars of Economic Development Education & Workforce Development Community Development Business Development Lending Organizations Local Businesses SBDC Network Chamber of Commerce EDCs = Sustainable Economic Development and Job Creation Citizens Local Businesses Youth Engagement City & County Officials Council of Governments

5 Data Requests, Reports and Analysis Community and Economic Assessments Local Demographic Reports and Projections GAP Analysis: A comparison of the local consumer expenditures with the local retail sales, identifying either a gap or surplus that exists relative to the demand for a certain good or service. Location Quotients (LQs): A ratio that allows a comparison of employment by industry between a local economy and a reference economy (such as a state).

6 Plans and Studies Strategic Planning Community Plans Regional Studies

7 Community Outreach and Municipal Capacity Building The RBP in conjunction with Shell Oil Company and UTSA College of Public Policy completed its first Municipal Capacity Building Program (MCBP) in Carrizo Springs, Texas. The MCBP is a multi-month series of workshops designed to provide rural community leaders with the knowledge and expertise to create their own strategic plans for medium-to long-term growth and sustainability. Participants, who successfully completed the workshops, submitting Community Action Plans and were eligible for funding to assist with project implementation. MCBP topics included Municipal Structure, Understanding Social Capacity, Land Use and Planning, Building and Leveraging Resources, and Trends and Leadership. [RBP] did a great job in putting all this together. We commend all those involved. - Mike Ureigas, Dimmit County Commissioner

8 Sample of Eagle Ford Community Projects Submitted for Consideration Street Assessment Study Retail Analysis Study Main Street Program Website Promotion Airport Study Development Packets Downtown Beautification & Tourism IT Support Park and Open Spaces by Creek Develop a Regional Landfill Address Vacant Buildings Infrastructure Improvements Land Development Strategic Plan Succession Plan Turkey Creek Reservoir Purchase Street Sweeper Intellectual Capacity

9 Proposed New City Hall offices A vision for the adaptive re-use of a historic Works Progress Administration structure

10 Vision Plans 2012 Study for Dimmit and Zavala Counties Short and long-term strategies to improve the economic climate, planning and sustainability Oil and gas exploration and production in the Eagle Ford Shale causing significant impacts in both counties Considerations for change - Develop County Land Use Plans - Improve Downtown Districts - Broaden Economies - Enhance Regional Workforce - Enhance Potential for Tourism - Ecotourism, Agritourism & Regional Tourism - Establish Infrastructure Priorities - Collaborative Action - Develop Hwy 83 Corridor between Crystal City & Carrizo Springs

11 Strategic Plans 2011 Study for the I-35 Corridor Revitalization & Economic Development Focus Strategies to improve business climate, economy, land use planning, environment and quality of life Report focusses on the rural communities and counties, anchored by the San Antonio MSA (north) and Laredo MSA (south) Includes counties of Atascosa, Frio, La Salle and Medina, and communities of Von Ormy, Cotulla, Devine, Dilley, Encinal, Lytle, Natalia, and Pearsall Also examines the historical context, existing conditions, options for the future, and demographic and economic characteristics Increasing support of eco-cultural tourism and sustainability along the corridor

12 New City Hall - Encinal, Texas RBP 2010 Strategic Plan Leads to New City Hall Vision Plan with Center for Urban and Regional Planning Research USDA loan of $1.5 million August 2013 Will house City government offices, City and County law enforcement and Food Bank Approximately 6,000 sq. ft. Will be located at west frontage road of I-35 and Texas State Highway 44 and will be seen by millions of travelers on I-35 every day Approximately 20 new jobs created

13 A Proposed Concept Vision for a Karnes City Civic Center (Hotel, Municipal Offices, Convention Center)

14 2014 TEXAS Rural Challenge The Texas Rural Challenge is the largest state-wide conference to focus on the challenges and opportunities facing rural Texas. Hosted by the Office of the Governor, UTSA s Institute for Economic Development - SBDC Rural Business Program, Texas Economic Development Council, Texas Department of Agriculture, USDA- Rural Development, Texas Association of Regional Councils. The conference features engaging and accomplished leaders in business and government, and a large number of state and federal agencies along with private sector partners host and participate in this event. The Fifth Annual Texas Rural Challenge will be held June 19-20, 2014 in Waco, Texas. This year s theme reflects our dedication to sustainable rural livelihood: From Seed to Prosperity. Topics will include: business and economic best practices, community growth, energy, cultural tourism, and other rural statewide issues.

15 Andrew Denzer Rural Business Program 501 W. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd. San Antonio, TX