Small Business

To make it easy and convenient to assist entrepreneurs and existing businesses, the Economic Development Department provides a full range of business services at one specified location. The First Point Business Office is located in Frost Bank Tower 100 West Houston Street, Suite 1900. Through  First Point businesses can take advantage of the following services:
 

Printer friendly       summary files	Detailed Program Information and Application Links
First Point Business Information Office	First Point is your first stop for business assistance and an on-going resource as your business grows.  Our Professional staff will meet with you to discuss permitting, licensing and regulatory issues.  We'll provide initial counseling on the following issues: sources of capital, developing a business plan, marketing strategies, forms of business organization, government procurement and other vital topics.  To receive a customized "Starting Your Business" guide call our office at (210) 207-3900.
Small Business Loans	South Texas Business Fund (STBF), a division of the City of San Antonio Economic Development Department, can provide competitive financing for growing and start up companies to expand their business.
Small Business Economic Development Advocacy Program  SBEDA Ordinance	Dedicated to serving small, minority, African-American, and women-owned business enterprises (SBE/MBE/AABE/WBE) by ensuring that an opportunity to compete for City contracts: Purchasing Bid Opportunities RFP, RFQ, RFI Opportunities For assistance regarding certification visit the South Central Texas Regional Certification Agency For information on completing the Good Faith Effort Form or the List of Sub-Contractors/Suppliers please contact 210.207.3900.
Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)	Local, State, and Federal governments purchase billions of dollars worth of goods and services each year, varying from jet airplanes to office supplies. The Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) assists individuals in competing for these contracts. See also the Association of Procurement and Technical Assistance Centers for more information on this service. View the Federal Panel Presentations from the Small, Women and Minority Owned Business Conference workshop on "Doing Business with the Federal Government".
HUBZone Contracting Certification	The HUB Zone Contracting Certification program provides federal contracting assistance for qualified small business concerns that are located in historically underutilized business zones. Qualifying businesses may earn awards that have been set aside for companies located in HUBZone areas, sole source awards for specialized companies, and awards through full and open competition for any business within or outside a HUBZone area.
Empowerment Zone	The Empowerment Zone (EZ) is an initiative designed to promote economic development in distressed communities by using tax incentives as catalysts for private investment. Businesses located within the Empowerment Zone are eligible to take advantage of Federal tax incentives to hire residents and to expand or improve their business operations.