UTSA Institute for Economic Development celebrates 35 years Nov. 3-7

UTSA Institute for Economic Development

Institute for Economic Development, UTSA Downtown Campus

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(Oct. 24, 2014) -- The UTSA Institute for Economic Development (IED) will celebrate 35 years of dedicated service to local, state and international communities with a weeklong series of events commemorating its founding Nov. 3-7 at the UTSA Downtown Campus.

In 1979, UTSA launched a single economic development center that has grown to form a multi-center network of business expertise. Since that time, the institute has helped more than 5,000 businesses open their doors and create more than 58,000 jobs. It also has generated more than $3 billion in new financing and investments and more than $15 billion in sales, contracts and exports with a total direct economic impact greater than $18 billion.

"For 35 years, the Institute for Economic Development has led UTSA's community outreach efforts to strengthen the local economy and create jobs," said UTSA President Ricardo Romo. "It is a great example of how a top-tier university can work hand-in-hand to help build a top-tier city."

The institute's 12 centers and programs provide professional business advising, technical training, research, and strategic planning for entrepreneurs, business owners and community leaders. The programs serve San Antonio and the Texas-Mexico border area as well as regional, national and international stakeholders. Together with federal, state and local governments, and private businesses, the institute fosters economic and community development in support of UTSA's community-engagement mission.

The San Antonio-based institute is one of the premier resources for information about the economic activity of shales around the state. It also continues to lead and expand the Small Business Network of the Americas initiative.

"We appreciate the entrepreneurs we serve and our many collaborators, as we continuously deliver quality consulting, training and research to home-grow Texas enterprises, innovation and growth," said Robert McKinley, UTSA associate vice president for economic development.

As a contributing force behind UTSA's goal of becoming a top-tier university, the institute is one of the top-ranking university economic development organizations in the nation. In 2014, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in the IED International Trade Center was ranked the top SBDC in the nation by the U.S. Small Business Administration. For the second consecutive year, the Minority Business Development Agency Business Center in San Antonio was recognized as a top 10 performer out of all MBDA Business Centers around the nation and was ranked No. 1 in the number of exporting jobs it created.

Anniversary highlights:

  • Tuesday, Nov. 4, 9 a.m.-noon: Experts from the UTSA International Trade Center, U.S. Small Business Administration, EXIM Bank and Department of Commerce will present "Financing Your Export Venture" in the Durango Building Southwest Room (2.316), Downtown Campus. The informative session will address the importance of properly projecting financing for projects. Participants will learn the best practices to implement to stay on track for a profitable venture.
  • Thursday, Nov. 6, 8:30 a.m.: UTSA Institute for Economic Development Research Director Thomas Tunstall will present the findings from the institute's 2014 study, Economic Impact of the Eagle Ford Shale. The presentation will be in the Durango Building Southwest Room (2.316), Downtown Campus. In 2013, the institute estimated that activity in the Eagle Ford Shale generated $87 billion in economic impact and supported nearly 155,000 full-time equivalent jobs. An Eagle Ford Shale community-experience panel will follow Tunstall's presentation.

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For a complete list of IED anniversary events and to register, visit the IED Texas website.

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