Small Business Assistance Highlights Conroe’s Economic Success

Small businesses everywhere seek the assistance and advice necessary to help them navigate the economic environment. Thankfully, numerous organizations and business experts are eager to provide that help for those that call Conroe home. The Conroe Economic Development Council (CEDC) is proud to be a resource to not only provide economic direction but to be able to point small businesses to partnering organizations.

#SBDC Day

Wednesday, March 15, is SBDC Day, a national proclamation by America’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) regarding their impact on the success of America’s small businesses. More than 1,000 SBDCs nationwide comprise a comprehensive small business assistance network hosted by leading universities, colleges, state economic development agencies and private partners. A portion of their funding comes from the United States Congress through a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. SBDC Day will be celebrated with social media campaigns, public relations initiatives and other online events. Get in on the celebration by using the hashtags below in your communications.

• #NationalSBDCDay
• #SBDCDay
• #SmallBusinessDevelopmentCenterDay
• #NationalSBCDDay
• #SBCDDay

For free business consulting and at-cost training on a variety of topics, small business owners and entrepreneurs can visit Sam Houston State University SBDC in Huntsville or SHSU SBDC at The Woodlands.

Grant Funding

While the staff at your local SBDC can help with understanding what financial assistance may apply to your business or idea, you can be part of the development of grant programs with the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDC) today.

The USDC’s Economic Development Administration is seeking public input on how to craft the $1 billion Recompete Pilot Program. Initially authorized in 2022 as part of the CHIPS Act to address semiconductor production and manufacturing, the program will provide grant funding to help create good jobs in distressed communities nationwide.

The Recompete Pilot Program will seek to support long-term economic development by helping reduce the high prime-age employment gap, defined as individuals aged 25 to 54. Of the $1 billion total, $200 million has been made available through a Request for Information (RFI) published on February 23. The grant program will run from 2022 to 2026, with $20 million minimum grants. Program development is incomplete, and the USDC seeks feedback on how the grant should work. The Federal Register RFI has detailed information for participants. Interested persons should submit comments to recompete@eda.gov by March 27, 2023. 

The USDC seeks input on another grant program, the $500 million Tech Hubs Program, designed to provide seed money to help build, plan and execute innovation-related projects nationwide. Input on how the grant program should be structured should be emailed by March 16, 2023, to techhubs@eda.gov with “Tech Hubs RFI” in the subject line.

Contact CEDC today!

The CEDC focuses on the recruitment, retention and expansion of businesses. Our department provides various scopes of project support from assisting with site selection for new businesses to helping existing businesses grow and thrive. We can help you understand how numerous local and state incentives may apply to your company. Contact us to learn more about our services!