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.
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UTSA students, faculty, staff and community members are encouraged to raise their voices and participate in the upcoming joint primary runoff election. Any registered Bexar County voter may vote at the H-E-B Student Union Bexar Room (HSU 1.102).
Bexar Room (HSU 1.102), H-E-B Student Union, Main CampusAdult Mental Health First Aid consists of 6 hours of instructor-led training, in which teaches adults how to recognize the signs and symptoms that suggest a potential mental health challenge, how to listen nonjudgmentally and give reassurance to the individual, student/colleague, who may be experiencing a mental health challenge, and how to refer a person to appropriate professional support and services at UTSA
John Peace Library (4.04.12C), Main CampusRefusing to Forget is a collaborative effort to examine and expose the devastating impact of state-sanctioned racial violence throughout the early 20th century in the Texas Borderlands. This will be a two-day workshop.
Gregory Luna Room, Buena Vista Building, Downtown CampusJoin fellow UTSA accounting alumni for this fun-filled event that includes breakfast, a round of golf, an awards luncheon and great prizes. All proceeds from the tournament benefit student scholarships.
Canyon Springs Golf Club, 24405 Wilderness Oak, San Antonio, TX 78260UTSA students, faculty, staff and community members are encouraged to raise their voices and participate in the upcoming joint primary runoff election. Election day is Tuesday, May 24. Any registered Bexar County voter may vote at the H-E-B Student Union Bexar Room (HSU 1.102).
Bexar Room (HSU 1.102), H-E-B Student Union, Main CampusThe Faculty Coffee Chat is designed to provide faculty members the space to discuss current issues they are facing in an inclusive and supportive environment.
Virtual EventThese sessions are focused on incoming Freshman who are attending the UTSA Summer Orientation and are intending to major in areas within the College of Liberal and Fine Arts! We'll have important information and giveaways for you - come meet us.
Willow room (SU 2.02.1), Main CampusThe 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.
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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 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.
