DEPARTMENT: Economic Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Rene Dominguez
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S) IMPACTED: City-wide
SUBJECT: Contract Award-Caf? Commerce
SUMMARY:
This Ordinance authorizes the execution of an agreement with ACCION-Texas in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 for a five year period for the operation and management of Caf? Commerce located at the Central Library. This funding will provide support for the development, implementation and management of Caf? Commerce, to include both a virtual and physical location where entrepreneurs can gather, collaborate, and learn more about entrepreneurship and small business resources.
BACKGROUND
In 2012, Mayor Juli?n Castro convened a taskforce of business owners and business advocacy organizations for the purpose of brainstorming methods and strategies for promoting small and new business growth in San Antonio. Business participants represented a wide array of industries, including retail, food and dining, engineering, technology, public relations, trade services, and private investors. Business advocacy organizations included various chambers of commerce, the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), ACCION-Texas, the Westside Development Corporation (WDC), and San Antonio for Growth on the Eastside (SAGE).
The taskforce identified the need to establish a culture of entrepreneurship throughout the community (for both adults and youth, but specifically engaging a young population) and increase coaching, mentoring and apprenticeship opportunities for future and existing small business owners. The taskforce also highlighted the value of existing business development resources in San Antonio and identified the need to increase marketing of these resources.
The taskforce recommended the establishment of an entity, referred to as "Caf? Commerce," to provide entrepreneurship education and mentoring, as well as to serve as a resource and referral clearinghouse or a one-stop for business information....
Click here for full text