Institute for Economic Development celebrates 30 years of growing businesses

Institute for Economic Development, UTSA Downtown Campus

By Lynn Gosnell
Marketing Coordinator, Institute for Economic Development

(Nov. 3, 2009)--The UTSA Institute for Economic Development (IED) is celebrating its 30th year of "building the economy -- one business at a time." In 2008 alone, the institute's centers provided services to more than 30,000 businesses, extending far beyond the local economy to national and international audiences.

Beginning as a single economic development center in 1979 devoted to harnessing the university's business knowledge, the UTSA Institute for Economic Development now boasts a multi-center network of economic development expertise. Since 1979, UTSA's economic development centers have helped to create more than 2,500 businesses and more than 40,000 jobs. Additionally, IED activities have supported more than $10.2 billion in new sales, contracts and exports, as well as helped clients to access more than $1.6 billion in capital.

"Through every stage of our development, we have remained committed to the small-business person and the entrepreneurial dream," said Robert McKinley, UTSA associate vice president for economic development.

Services include helping entrepreneurs plan and start a business, finding financing for new ventures, helping established businesses grow and expand, and helping communities research and plan for responsible growth. In addition to one-on-one counseling for individual clients, the IED provides research services for small-business development centers around the country.

Some of IED's successful clients from a variety of industries include Veronica Edwards (InGenesis Inc.), Alfonso Tomita, (Sushi Zushi), Rene Benavides and Josie Benavides (Mariachi Connection), Kimberly Jordan (UEMC Inc.), Valerie Gonzalez (Delicious Tamales), Darren Patrick (Rainbow Play Systems) and Alejandro Maya (Sprocket Video).

The institute's program structure includes the South-West Texas Border Small Business Development Center Network, San Antonio Small Business Development Center (SBDC), International Trade Center, Contracting Resource Center, SBDC National Information Clearinghouse, Southwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center, Minority Business Enterprise Center, Rural Business Program, Center for Community and Business Research, and San Antonio Technology Accelerator Initiative (SATAI).

For more information about the Institute for Economic Development's programs, partners and successes, contact Lynn Gosnell at (210) 458-2958.

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About the Institute for Economic Development

Comprising 10 centers and programs, the Institute for Economic Development at the UTSA Downtown Campus provides consultation, technical training, business research and planning services to assist small businesses and entrepreneurs in establishing and growing their businesses. In 2008, more than 30,000 businesses were served with outreach to regional, national and international entrepreneurs. Learn more at the UTSA Institute for Economic Development Web site.

Events

Friday, May 3, 11:30 a.m.

McNair Scholars' Spring Celebration

This event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.

North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main Campus

Wednesday, May 15, 6:00 p.m.

Doctoral Conferral Ceremony

At this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.

Arts Building Recital Hall, Main Campus

Thursday, May 16, 3:00 p.m.

Roadrunner Walk

Roadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.

Student Union Paseo, Main Campus

Friday, May 17, 10:00 a.m.

Commencement: Ceremony One

Celebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.

Alamodome, 100 Montana St.

Friday, May 17, 4:30 p.m.

Commencement: Ceremony Two

Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.

Alamodome, 100 Montana St.

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Spotlight

UTSA’s Mission

The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.

UTSA’s Vision

To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.

UTSA’s Core Values

We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.

UTSA’S Destinations

UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .

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The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.