UTSA Institute for Economic Development boasts a record year of $2.6 billion in direct economic impact

UTSA Institute for Economic Development boasts a record year of $2.6 billion in direct economic impact

The Institute for Economic Development is dedicated to creating jobs, growing businesses and fostering economic development.


(Jan. 12, 2016) -- In 2015, an average working day for the UTSA Institute for Economic Development (IED) resulted in 137 small businesses receiving advising or training, the acquisition of $2 million in business growth capital, $8.7 million of sales/contracts/exports being realized, and the creation of more than 30 new jobs.

This year, the IED achieved yet another milestone in its 36-year career with more than $2.6 billion of direct economic impact including new financing, investments, sales, contracts and exports, a 33 percent increase over last year. During the fiscal year, the IED:

  • Served 34,256 business and community clients
  • Provided training and workshops to 21,339 participants
  • Managed 8,219 consulting cases and delivered 76,137 research hours
  • Helped launch 657 new businesses
  • Helped expand 585 existing businesses
  • Supported the creation of 8,251 new jobs and the retention of 5,446 jobs

The IED also remained a prominent source for research on the dynamic energy sector, with numerous publications this year, including Economic Impact of the Eagle Ford Shale (2014), Economic Impacts of Natural Gas Fueling Station Infrastructure and Vehicle Conversions in the Texas Clean Transportation Triangle and Preliminary Report on the Economic Impact and Legal Analysis of the Shale Oil and Gas Activities in Mexico.

The IED has continued to expand the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) footprint around the world through its leadership of the U.S. State Department’s Small Business Network of the Americas. The SBDC model has evolved over 35 years at 1,100 colleges and universities across the U.S. and has become an international best practice with documented business growth results. To date, 20 different countries have been assisted by UTSA resulting in more than 100 SBDCs launched internationally. Close to 200 additional centers are projected to open during the next year.

“Our clients and programs continue to grow and evolve together. New opportunities in industry clusters and supply-chains, advanced manufacturing, technology commercialization and global markets reach are emerging,” said Robert McKinley, UTSA senior associate vice president for economic development. “As one of the top performing university-based economic development organizations in the nation, the UTSA Institute for Economic Development is strategically positioned to fill these needs.”

The UTSA Institute for Economic Development is dedicated to creating jobs, growing businesses and fostering economic development. Its centers and programs provide professional business advising, technical training, research and strategic planning for entrepreneurs, business owners and community leaders. Its programs serve San Antonio, the Texas-Mexico border area, and 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.

-------------------------------

View the full UTSA Institute for Economic Development annual report

Connect online with the IED on Facebook and Twitter.

Connect online with UTSA on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

Events



Spotlight

UTSA Bold Promise CTA

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 .

Our Commitment to Inclusivity

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.