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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The Dreamer and Undocumented student conversation consists of a panel discussion that will center in the immigrant experience while attending college and as a new professional. Our panelist will discuss their experiences as immigrants from different Latin American countries, and as current or former members of the undocumented community.
Virtual EventCome learn more about the Whataburger Resource Room and what you can do to fight food insecurity on our campus!
Student Union, Paseo Principal Staircase, Main CampusJoin us for the grand opening of our new office space! There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at Noon with an open house at HSU 2.206, and student organization tabling on the Paseo. We will have DJ Loko along with snacks, give aways, and activities.
H-E-B Student Union, 2.206, Main CampusThis year we will have a NNO kickoff party at the Downtown Campus - Frio Building breezeway. The event will be on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm. We will have snow cones, music, and door prizes! The is a free event for all our DTC community. The NNO main event will be held at Main campus on October 5.
Frio Breezeway, Downtown CampusA virtual conversation about how we can take action to improve our wellbeing to prevent future mental health burn out.
Virtual EventNo matter your first language, Coffee & Conversation can help you expand your horizons. We invite all UTSA students to come spend your lunch hour with Coffee & Conversation, where international and domestic students gather and build inter-cultural connections.
Anaqua Room, 2.03.08, Student Union, Main CampusFor Hispanic Heritage Month this year we will be reading two books, starting in September with "I, Rigoberta Menchú", an autobiography. The October book will be "Cemetery Boys" by Aiden Thomas. Students who join the RJBC are eligible to receive the book free.
Virtual EventThe 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.
