Get connected with service providers and skilled companies for anything you might need in the San Marcus Region.
At the Hays Caldwell Economic Development Partnership (HCEDP), our business is to know the resources that can assist you in overcoming the obstacles interfering with your company’s growth. We play a support role to several programs and systems throughout the Texas Innovation Corridor and we have collaborative partnerships with a wide variety of local resources.
Network of Resources
Starting and/or Growing A Business
Think BIG San Marcos - No-cost, one-on-one customized business and financial coaching through the City of San Marcos.
Austin SCORE - Non-profit organization of volunteers to mentor small businesses
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network – The Texas State SBDC provides long-term advising assistance for pre-ventures and existing small businesses
State of Texas Small Business Handbook – A complete overview of starting and running a small business in Texas. You will find resources on starting a business, tax responsibilities, licenses, permits, employer requirements, financing, and certifications
Small Business Administration – The Small Business Administration guide will provide guidance on various things regarding planning, launching, managing and growing your business
Texas Business Licenses & Permits Handbook – This handbook provides resources on licenses and permits required for each industry type
Expanding Business to New Locations – A complete guide on expanding your business to a new location in regard to laws, rules, and regulations that might be exist
Governor’s Office of Economic Development – This website has many valuable resources, specifically the Governor’s Small Business Resource Portal, information for Veteran, Minority and Women-owned businesses, financing resources, webinars and more
Marketing Resources
Marketing is much more than “getting your name out there.” Get informed on how to conduct market analysis, develop marketing strategies, identify your competition and obtain templates to help with preparation of cash flow, breakeven, and collateral estimates. Online training is also available for conducting a marketing analysis, targeting markets, and protecting your business with patents, copyrights, and trademarks.
SCORE
Social Media for Marketing your Business. The most used: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, but know where your customers go. Check these sites:
Using your website for marketing
A free tool for listing your website on Google, Bing and other local search engines easily: MOZ Local
Small Business Trends: Small Business Trends
Easy reliable make your own website: Squarespace
Free resources and In-depth Guides & Help for bloggers: FirstSiteGuide
We recommend Word Press and plug in Yoast to build your website or blog
How to write great blog content: ProBlogger Blog Writing Guide
Check out the rates for logo designs: Freelancer
For ecommerce sites use: Shopify, GoDaddy, BigCommerce
Marketing Research
Use for market research for B2B: D&B Hoovers
Demographics: Austin Demographics
Understand your market: U.S. Small Business Administration
Business Incubators and Co-Working Opportunities
Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Park, the site of STAR One, is the technology incubator program that matches the innovation of scientific academic endeavors with commercial interests. Here, companies have access to Texas State University students and research labs to develop new technologies.
Additionally, the Texas Innovation Corridor is home to several co-working spaces for entrepreneurism and small businesses. They include:
Human Resource and Workforce Resources
General Human Resources
IRS Employer’s Tax Guide – employer’s responsibilities regarding federal withholding taxes
Texas Workforce Commission
Summary of Federal Labor Law – A summation of the Department of Labor’s principal statutes that are most commonly used by businesses
Completing the I-9 – Handbook for Employers from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Texas Workforce Commission Skills Training Funds
Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area – our region’s workforce resource for employers and job-seekers
Austin Community College – Community college serving workforce training needs in Hays & Caldwell counties
Texas State University Continuing Education – a resource for individuals and companies seeking catalog or customized training. One does not need to be enrolled in the university to participate.
Dana Robert Willett, Asst VP, Distance & Extended Learning
Email: [email protected]
Funding Opportunities
Central Texas Angel Network - provides quality early-stage investment opportunities for accredited Central Texas angel investors.
Alternative Lending Sites
Micro Lenders
Micro lenders are more willing to loan money to startup business. Interest rates are usually higher than for commercial banks and limit loan amounts to around $50,000. The following sites are micro lenders:
SBA loans
Made by lending institutions: banks, credit unions and micro-lenders
Loans
Veterans
The Online SCORE Counselors provide business advice to the military community.
This U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) site provides resources to help veterans with business development.
Contracting & Certification Programs
HUBZONE Contracting Program
The HUBZONE Program (Historically Underutilized Business Zones) Contracting Program encourages economic development in underutilized business zones by
allowing for federal contract set-asides for small businesses in economically depressed communities.
Women-Owned Small Business Contracting Program
The WOSB Contracting Program provides greater access to federal contracting for economically disadvantaged women. WOSBs must be 51% owned and controlled by women.
8(a) Business Development Program
The 8(a) Business Development (BD) Program offers a broad scope of assistance to firms that are owned and controlled at least 51% socially and economically disadvantaged individual(s).
State of Texas HUB Program (Historically Underutilized Business)
HUB Certification through the Statewide HUB Program requires specific information about the small business and supporting documentation to substantiate and verify the business structure is HUB eligible. Eligible businesses then have an advantage to bid on state procurement opportunities.
Click on forms to get HUB certification application: HUB Certification Application
International Trade Resources
U.S. Commercial Service
The U.S. Commercial Service, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, offers companies a full range of expertise in international trade, including:
Export Trade Counseling
Foreign Market Intelligence
Business Matchmaking
Social Media channels: Instagram (@USCommercialService), LinkedIn (@USCommercialService) and Twitter (@USCommercialSvc).
Local contact is Ms. Karen Parker, International Trade Specialist.
Email: [email protected]
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Foreign Trade Zone of Central Texas # 183
A Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) is an area within the United States which is designated by the federal government as outside of U.S. Customs territory. Business using FTZs can reduce customs duties and fees and achieve logistics benefits for the import and export of goods.
The Austin region, which includes Hays & Caldwell counties, is served by FTZ 183, the Foreign Trade Zone of Central Texas, Inc., and is run by a board of directors appointed by the cities and chambers in the Austin metropolitan area. The Austin Chamber of Commerce is the administrator for FTZ 183.
Freeport Exemption
The freeport exemption is a business personal property tax exemption on inventory that is in Texas for a short time – 175 days or less – and will be transported outside of the state. In Hays and Caldwell counties, businesses enjoy a triple freeport exemption, which is exemption from taxes from the city, county, school district as well as special taxing entities. Applications must be submitted to the county appraisal district. For general information and application forms, go to the Texas State Comptroller website.
Department of Commerce Free Trade Agreement Help
Free trade agreements (FTA) between the United States and select trading partners provide low or duty free access and other benefits, including, stronger intellectual property protection, fair treatment for U.S. investors, greater U.S. exporter input into FTA country product standards, and increased opportunities for foreign government procurement and U.S. service providers.
Regional Hiring Resources
Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area
Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area offers employers the opportunity to post job positions and participate in Workplace Wednesdays, their virtual weekly job fairs. Jobs and resumes are collected at www.workintexas.com.
Contact:
Veerachai "Ty" Turapan
[email protected]
512-392-1291 ext.3056
Hire a Bobcat/Career Services at Texas State University
Texas State University, which graduates more than 9,000 students annually, offers employers a variety of hiring services through their Career Services portal.
Austin Community College Career Services
Austin Community College Career Services invites employers to post job and internship openings on our online job boards and campus bulletin boards. Employers who post jobs or internships must receive prior authorization and adhere to ACC recruiting guidelines.
ACCEYSS Network
ACCEYSS is a San Marcos-based coalition focused on providing underrepresented and underserved youth with access to STEM and Agriculture pathways through Entrepreneurship and the Arts. The organization helps faith-based and grassroots organizations with resources and funding so that the STEEAAM equity gap can be bridged in their communities.
Contact:
Mallorie Blevins
[email protected]
Community Action, Inc.
Community Action develops opportunities for people and communities to realize their potential by providing resources and comprehensive services to empower Central Texans of all ages to become self-sufficient.
Contact:
Doug Mudd
[email protected]
Texas Veterans Commission Employment Services
The Texas Veterans Commission offers employment services to Texas veterans and helps employers find qualified veteran job applicants. To bring that vision into reality, TVC-Employment Services provides sound job coaching and pathways to overcome employment barriers. In conjunction with assisting our veterans, the commission's Veterans Employment Representatives (VERs) work diligently to communicate and assist employers with understanding the unique benefits and simple procedures involved with hiring Texas Veterans.
Texas Workforce Commission, Just for Veterans Program
The Just for Veterans Program offers veterans the chance to connect with employers and maximize their employment opportunities as they transition into civilian life. The program allows veterans to search for jobs offered by employers, receive priority service at Texas Workforce Solutions offices and get information on transition assistance and benefits.
Regional Resources For Businesses