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Small Business Resources

Small businesses play a vital role in the City of Cibolo. The City of Cibolo is committed to providing resources to our existing small businesses and those who are just starting a business. Below you can find information on various small business development resources within the Cibolo area. In addition, you are always welcome to contact the City's Economic Development Department staff for assistance, we are always willing to point you in the right direction whether you are thinking about starting a business or are planning to grow your business.

Small Business Training
Introducing The City of Cibolo's new Small Business Training Page! Explore training seminars provided by The Texas South-West Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the IRS to help small businesses start and grow.

Training Resources

Starting Your Business

Are you thinking about starting your own business? or in the process of starting your own business? The following are links to various resources that can help make your dreams of owning your own business a reality.

Resources

  • Governor's Small Business Resources Portal: Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur or an established business owner, the Governor’s Small Business Resource Portal will provide you with the most relevant resources and contacts to help you find success. This important tool offers a customized list of useful business resources to assist you in starting or growing your business in Texas.
  • Home Occupation Affidavit: This form is necessary for any home-based business. It allows the City to keep a running record of any home-based business and permits the City of Cibolo to provide assistance, i.e. the running Business List, advertising opportunities, events, and similar services. 
  • 2020 Texas Business Permits & Licenses Guide: This handy guide is provided by the Business Permit Office within the Office of the Governor’s Economic Development and Tourism Division. It offers a listing of state permits that may be required for persons desiring to operate a business enterprise in the state.
  • UTSA Small Business Development Center - Starting Your Business: The UTSA Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is committed to assisting both new and existing small businesses. Their "Starting Your Business" page provides you with information on business start up essentials, a link to register for their Business Start Up Essentials Class, and a link to request advising. All of UTSA SBDC’s business advising services are at no cost to you. Approximately 70% of new businesses fail within seven years, however, studies show that 80% of business started with assistance from their SBDC are still in business 8 years after their start. We highly recommend that you utilize the services of the UTSA SBDC when starting your business.
  • U.S. Small Business Administration - Starting a Business: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides numerous resources to those who are just starting their business. Within their "Starting a Business" section they provide information on an array of topics relating to starting a business including creating a business plan, financing, filing and paying taxes and hiring employees.
  • Lift Fund: Lift Fund (formerly Accion) is a non-profit organization that helps small businesses access capital, education and a support system to ensure that they realize their potential and increases their chances for success. Lift Fund has made more than 16,000 loans totaling more than $190 million. Lift Fund can fund loans from $500 to $250,000 and will work with every kind of business, Mom-and-Pop restaurants, and corner stores to clothing boutiques and flower shops and everything in between.
  • The Chamber of Commerce (Schertz-Cibolo-Selma Area): The Chamber of Commerce serves the communities of Cibolo, Schertz, Selma, and beyond. The Chamber acts as a catalyst for business and community alike and is committed to the growth of its member businesses and supporting small business entrepreneurship. The Schertz Chamber does this through local and state advocacy; providing education in business, and creating opportunities to market and network. Monthly Schertz Chamber events include luncheons, mixers, and Biz Ed classes.
  • Tri County Chamber of Commerce: The Tri County Chamber’s mission is to cultivate a favorable environment in which business, government, education, and the community at large can interact for the benefit of all. The Tri County Chamber focuses on economic growth, supporting relationships between consumers, government, and local elected officials, and providing member benefits for marketing and networking through ribbon cuttings, monthly mixers, and monthly luncheons.
  • VetFran: The mission of VetFran is two-fold: One, to educate both veterans and franchisors about the unique match between the skills and aptitude of entrepreneurial veterans and the demands and opportunities of being a franchisee. Their research and experience has shown that veterans make great franchisees and that the business model is a gateway to small business ownership, prosperity and success for our nation’s heroes. Two, to facilitate the transition of veterans into franchising by encouraging franchisors to offer discounts and incentives to veterans on the one hand, and to assemble resources, tools and a database of franchising opportunities for veterans on the other.

Grow Your Business

Have you already got your small business off the ground and are ready to take it to the next level of success? The following are links to various resources that can help you take the next step in expanding your business.

Resources
  • Governor's Small Business Resources Portal: Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur or an established business owner, the Governor’s Small Business Resource Portal will provide you with the most relevant resources and contacts to help you find success. This important tool offers a customized list of useful business resources to assist you in starting or growing your business in Texas. 
  • UTSA Small Business Development Center - Growing Your Business: The UTSA SBDC can help growing small businesses take the next step. Here you can find information on requesting free advising services, registering for training seminars, and other valuable resources.
  • U.S. Small Business Administration - Managing a Business: The U.S. SBA provides numerous resources on how to grow your business. Within their "Managing a Business" section you will find information pertaining to growing your business, exporting business law and regulation, loans and grants, plus much much more.
  • Lift Fund: Lift Fund can provide business loans that can help grow your business. Loans can range from $500 to $250,000 and can be provided for real estate, supply and inventory, equipment, lease improvement, and operation and working capital.
  • National Grant Resources: The national grant homepage is an abundant resource for all things grant related. The site has tools and resources to help you find, apply, and deal with the grant process as well as what pitfalls and red flags to be aware of. There is also an app for both Apple and Android devices that allows for mobile application for on the go.
  • Cibolo EDC’s Business Improvement Grant (BIG): The purpose of this Program is to enhance the economic vitality of the City of Cibolo by encouraging visually appealing physical improvements to local small business establishments. For more information, please reach out to City staff at economicdevelopment@cibolotx.gov or call 210-659-1471.

Additional Resources