DEPARTMENT: Economic Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Alejandra Lopez
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-wide
SUBJECT:
Briefing and possible action on creation of a new Small Business Advisory Commission
SUMMARY:
Creation of a new Small Business Advisory Commission and renaming of the current Small Business Advocacy Committee (SBAC) to SBEDA Advisory Committee.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The San Antonio economy includes more than 37,000 small businesses which represent approximately 97% of employment firms. Small businesses are a driving force within the local economy and their challenges and capacity for growth differs substantially from larger companies. The Economic Development Department addresses these challenges by implementing various programs and initiatives to assist prospective entrepreneurs and small business owners, especially those that are minority and women-owned. These programs and initiatives focus on technical assistance, mentoring, development fee waiver assistance, access to capital, and equal access to City contracts for the local small business community.
While the needs are great, the City of San Antonio currently does not have a general commission for small business owners to voice their opinions and policy recommendations outside of the Small Business Advocacy Committee (SBAC), which has a narrow and purposeful function. SBAC consists of eleven (11) district-specific members appointed by the Mayor and City Council to advise them on the effectiveness of the SBEDA program, as well as recommend modifications the SBEDA Ordinance and procurement procedures to promote the participation of small, minority and women-owned businesses on City contracts. In recent years, SBAC was also given the responsibility to establish a subcommittee to oversee the implementations and outcomes associated with the Diversity Action Plan ordinance. The focus and leadership provide by the SBAC contributes to the effectiveness of the SBEDA program. Howeve...
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