ECONOMIC IMPACT OF SBDC NETWORK

Extending its relationship with the world of commerce, the Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC Network) provided more than 44,000 hours of free consulting and nearly 64,000 hours of training to enterprises throughout its thirty-two county region in southeast Texas in an effort to help support area businesses in 2003. The Network also provided consulting to 23,990 small- and medium-sized business owners, employees, and entrepreneurs.

Consulting Statistics: 43 percent (2,249) of consulting clients were minorities, 45 percent (2,383) were women, and 12 percent (643) were veterans.

Training Statistics: 39 percent (4,179) of training attendees were minorities, 53 percent (5,577) were women, and 8 percent (813) were veterans.

UH Procurement Technical Assistance Center helped clients obtain 348 contract awards from federal, state and local governments worth $25.8 million, which created 608 new jobs.