The regional administrator of the Small Business Administration is spending time in Texas this week to show the services the agency can offer companies here.
The Texas Economic Development Corporation says there are 3.1 million businesses with fewer than 500 employees in the state, and they make up 99.8% of total companies here.
"Of course, we are a huge federal agency but largely an unknown federal agency," says SBA Regional Administrator Ted James.
James signed an agreement with the mayor of DeSoto to build a stronger working relationship.
"We are excited, excited, excited because of what it will do for DeSoto's small businesses today and in the future," says Mayor Rachel Proctor. "Really what drives a community is our small businesses. They make up the culture of our community. They make up the identity of our community."
James says visits like this can spread information about the services SBA can offer.
"Way too often, I'm in communities some people call, 'underserved,'" he says. "I say, 'no, no, no, we don't have underserved communities.' They are communities I consider underestimated but for access to information and opportunities, those communities would thrive just like any other community."
Wednesday, James is meeting with several small business owners in Dallas and Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. He says elected officials can help put the SBA in closer contact with entrepreneurs.
"Congressional outreach is vital to information sharing," James says. "If we show up as a federal agency, that says one thing. If we show up with someone who is trusted, elected, appointed and recognized as a leader, that helps us bring a message when we have a trusted voice."
James says those relationships can help businesses that are recovering from COVID or increased costs. He says SBA can also connect businesses with lenders, saying the agency works to provide support so owners can focus on their craft.
"We call it speed dating. We'll turn on the music, and the entrepreneur has to find a dance partner," James says. "We do those things so we can minimize the effort of the entrepreneur, so we bring them here."
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