Business Resources
Whether you’re looking to grow or start your business, the organizations listed below will provide support.
Local Business Support
BBB El Paso
BBB provides valuable information on local businesses on BBB.org so that consumers may make informed marketplace decisions; promotes marketplace trust by accrediting businesses that adhere to the BBB’S Ethical Standards; and educates the community about important news and scams.
City of El Paso Economic Development
The City focuses on creating job opportunities for new and existing industrial and commercial development and assisting entrepreneurs with resources.
El Paso County Economic Development
The County focuses on creating job opportunities for new and existing industrial and commercial development and assist entrepreneurs with resources. Find information on County initiatives and guidelines.
One Stop Shop
Do you know what permits, licenses, and/or inspections are needed for your business? The One-Stop Shop is the primary intake point for land development, building permitting and most business licensing applications.
El Paso Chamber
Provides opportunities for connecting, coaching, advocating, and innovating that drive excellence in and around El Paso.
El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Resource for businesses and advocates to support the growth of the El Paso region. Provides contracting opportunities, financial lending assistance, HUB certifications, training, advocating, networking and advertising.
Workforce Solutions Borderplex
Non-profit opportunity incubator, personalizing the career path and connecting the right people to the right positions. Resources and programs available for job seekers and employers..
U.S. Small Business Administration - El Paso District Office
The SBA helps Americans start, build, and grow businesses. They provide access to capital, entrepreneurial development, government contracting and advocacy.
SCORE Mentoring
The South-West Texas Border Small Business Development Center fosters small business success through one-on-one business advising, technical assistance, training programs, advocacy, and research services.
South-West Texas Border Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network - El Paso Community College
The South-West Texas Border Small Business Development Center fosters small business success through one-on-one business advising, technical assistance, training programs, advocacy, and research services.
Pioneers 21
Pioneers 21 fosters the creative and economic potential of the region. The non-profit organization and business incubator provides direct business assistance, mentoring, networking, access to capital and talent, and other technical resources, as well as shared office space and equipment.
City of El Paso - Small Business Assistance
City partners can help with marketing, business plan creation, incubation, loans, women & veteran-owned business assistance, & more! Please visit the resource links provided in the catalog for local business assistance.
Project Vida
Project Vida supports small businesses by connecting owners to small business loans through affiliate, El Paso Collaborative and by providing business development assistance, business marketing plan and financial plan assistance, and through networking/business opportunities.
Women’s Business Border Center
Provides start-up assistance through business plan development and licensing/permits assistance and connects businesses with connections and access to capital assistance. WBBC is a Valuable Federal Woman Owned Small Business Certification certifier.
Center for Hispanic Entrepreneurship
UTEP’s Center for Hispanic Entrepreneurship provides small business consulting, business and marketing plan guidance, and workshops.
STTE Foundation
Provides investor pitch deck preparation; information on IP protection, trademarks, and agreements; and start-up sprints and coworking space.
Downtown Management District
The Downtown Management District provides matching grant funds for building exterior and signage improvements, business promotion and marketing, and promotional event opportunities.
State & Federal Support
U.S. Small Business Administration
The El Paso District Office of the SBA is responsible for providing businesses with tools for enhancing and growing their businesses and oversees the delivery of SBA’s programs.
2024-2025 Texas Business Licenses & Permits Guide
The guide is the first stop for individuals looking to start a new business in Texas. The Texas Business Licenses and Permits Guide provides a listing of state permits that may be required to operate a business enterprise and requirements for more than 300 business types.
Licensing and permitting questions may be directed to the Business Permits Office, or you may call (512) 936-0100 or visit gov.texas.gov/smallbusiness.
Minority Business Development Agency
Provides assistance for growing minority business enterprises (MBEs), is a State HUB of Texas third-party certifier, and connects businesses to contracts and capital.
Women’s Business Border Center
Provides start-up assistance through business plan development and licensing/permits assistance and connects businesses with connections and access to capital assistance. WBBC is a Valuable Federal Woman Owned Small Business Certification certifier.
The Southwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (TAAC)
Assists U.S. manufacturing and service firms that face challenges from import competition to regain profitable growth. The Southwest TAAC helps its clients document their technical needs and helps them plan, implement and pay for the highest-quality technical assistance available.
Governor's Small Business Webinars
The Governor’s Office of Small Business Assistance is excited to host a series of webinars for Texas small business owners and entrepreneurs. The informational webinars discuss a range of topics, including starting a business in Texas, financial planning, public procurement, online marketing, and other business strategies.
BBB Tips
- The reputation of your business is crucial to success. And, whether you like it or not, online customer reviews, are here to stay. In fact, it is estimated that over 80 percent of customers look online for reviews for local businesses before making a decision. So, what can you do to make customer reviews work for you?
- As a small business owner, it is difficult to make time for administrative tasks that do not directly result in a sale, but it is critically important to maintain basic financial records. This is a lesson learned by many small businesses that have missed out on grants, loans, and other financial assistance — particularly during the pandemic — because they did not have the information required to demonstrate eligibility.
Operating Safely
CDC Post-vaccination Considerations for Workplaces
Vaccinations are helping decrease the number of cases of COVID-19 in our community. Many business owners have questions about what health protocols they should adopt now that employees and customers are getting vaccinated.
Open Texas
While the governor has lifted many business restrictions, individuals are strongly encouraged to continue following all health precautions guidelines and to take care of one another in our community.
OSHA Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace
OSHA training designed to help train employers to protect workers who are unvaccinated (including people who are not fully vaccinated) or otherwise at-risk (as defined in the text box below), including if they are immunocompromised, and also implement new guidance involving workers who are fully vaccinated but located in areas of substantial or high community transmission.
Virtual Learning
Spectrum Technologies E-Commerce Essentials Series
Spectrum Technologies is an El Paso-based technology company. As part of the El Paso Business Strong campaign, they’ve created free Webinars on how technology can help your business through the pandemic including how to set up digital gift cards, digital advertising, and how to leverage social media for your business.
Project Vida Bilingual Webinars
Project Vida hosted a series of bilingual webinars explaining how social media, search engine optimization, and digital marketing can help your business recover from COVID-19.
Google for Small Business
Google offers free resources to help your business through COVID-19. Take steps today to get online, stay connected with customers, work remotely, and more.
Microsoft - Digital Skills in Economic Recovery
Microsoft has provided updated information to help 25 million job seekers worldwide gain new skills for a more digital economy.
Microsoft - Learning Paths For In-Demand Jobs
Microsoft has compiled learning paths for ten in-demand roles to help businesses and employees adapt to the economic realities brought on by the pandemic.
Scam Alerts
Keep up to date on the latest threats to your business. Find resources to help you understand common threats and what you need to do to protect your business.
BBB Scam Tracker
Protect your business by being aware of scams that are trending in your area. Help warn others by reporting illegal schemes or fraud.
FTC Scams
See the most recent scam alerts from the Federal Trade Commission, and find information on avoiding and reporting scams.
City of El Paso Toolkit
Many businesses have opted to continue requiring face coverings for employees and/or customers. Use this printable signage to inform people what you expect in your business.
Buy El Paso
Buy El Paso Marketing Initiative
The “Buy El Paso” marketing initiative will promote and boost local businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will encourage more El Pasoans to shop these businesses and promote public health by putting a focus on local businesses seeking to operate and reopen safely. Follow the “Buy El Paso” Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages for information and updates on how to support El Paso Businesses.
Workshops
Buy El Paso Rewards Open House | February 9, 2024
You can catch up here if you missed the first Buy El Paso Rewards Open House. During this open house, we covered an introduction to Buy El Paso Rewards, met the team, learned the benefits, and learned more about how to contact us if you have any problems.
Contact Us
If you have a resource that helps local businesses, please contact us at [email protected].
