MARCH 22, 2021 — The UTSA Institute for Economic Development generated an overall direct economic impact in 2020 of $2.4 billion for the Texas economy. The Institute and its many centers—part of UTSA’s Knowledge Enterprise—facilitate economic, community and business development at the local, regional and national levels.
Shortly after the pandemic hit in 2020, IED staff were prepared to help business owners and entrepreneurs. The advisors at the IED’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) not only continued with their business consulting, training and research; they also quickly pivoted to help bring pandemic relief to small businesses, including financial assistance via the Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) assistance.
Patrick and Wendy O’Kane of Always Best Care in San Antonio are business owners who sought assistance from the IED. Always Best Care is a non-medical health provider helping families’ loved ones manage daily routines, plus respite care during the holidays.
The O’Kanes built a relationship with IED when they started their business in 2016, so it was natural for them to turn to the IED for help when the pandemic hit. With the institute’s help, the O’Kanes were able to get PPP and EIDL funding that helped them save 90 jobs. They were also able to expand their business to a new location.
“We would not be in business today without the advice and counseling of our IED SBDC business advisor,” Patrick O’Kane said.
“The O’Kanes’ story is one of many Texas small businesses who turned disruption into opportunity through resiliency and dedication to the task,” added Rod McSherry, UTSA associate vice president for innovation and economic development. “We are proud and thankful that we, the staff of the IED, have the opportunity to support, advise and train Texas small businesses—the economic engine of our great state.”
To learn more about the Institute’s hard work and agility in the unprecedented pandemic year to support and advance Texas small businesses, read the stories in the institute’s 2020 annual report.
UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
Led by UTSA Campus Recreation, these in-person group exercise sessions provide survivors a safe space to focus on their bodies' power to foster a sense of agency. Bring your mask and yoga mat and experience a soothing sound bath at sunrise. Students must register online before attending these sessions.
Recreation and Wellness Center, Main CampusCommunication between parents and youth can be difficult and the stress of COVID-19 and virtual learning may have made things worse. This is an opportunity for parents and youth, ages 9-17, to learn and share how to enchance communication.
Virtual EventThe virtial event will feature undergraduate student research and creative endeavors from across the university. Students who have participated in research experiences beginning summer 2020 through Spring 2021 are invited to participate.
Virtual EventBy participating in this training you will feel more prepared to recognize potential harm on a spectrum, decide how you would respond in certain situations and take action to keep our Roadrunner Community safe.
Virtual EventAt UTSA, there are many ways to connect with others, gain relevant career experience, and leave your mark at a world-ranked university. With over 300 student organizations, there’s something for everyone at UTSA. Hear from various UTSA Students Leaders about their life as a Roadrunner and why UTSA is their new home.
Virtual EventThis course is offered by UTSA's Employee Assistance Program EAP Deer Oaks. Every new beginning comes from something else ending, and in our ever changing world, it is essential to develop the ability topositively cope with change. This session provides participants with the insight to understand the nature of change and learn how to effectively deal with both the losses and the gains that change brings to one’s life.
Virtual EventOn April 28, 2021, millions of people across the world will wear jeans with a purpose, support survivors, and educate themselves and others about all forms of sexual violence. To support this movement our donation drive will be items that we will be putting together to make Care Kits. These Care Kits are for students, faculty and staff to get in case of an emergency and they need to leave the situation they're in ASAP and do not have time to pack.
Ximenas Ave GarageThe 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.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education.
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 ending generations of discrimination and inequity. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.
