City Council Approves Over $1 Million in Small Business Assistance Agreements

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX-At Tuesday's regularly scheduled City Council meeting, Mayor Paulette Guajardo and the City Council approved eight Small Business Assistance Agreements totaling $1,076,700 to support the growth and development of small businesses throughout the City. These agreements, facilitated by the Corpus Christi B Corporation, will aid local entrepreneurs and businesses in creating jobs and making significant investments in the community.

The approved agreements are with LiftFund, Inc., the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC), and Del Mar College.

These initiatives will provide small businesses with essential resources, including financial support, workforce development opportunities, technical training, and assistance securing government contracts.

Programs and Allocations:

• LiftFund, Inc.: $150,000 to support an interest buy-down program, making financing more accessible for entrepreneurs.
• SCORE: $86,700 to offer mentoring and training to small business owners across the city.
• TAMUCC & Del Mar College Internship Programs: $290,000 to improve graduate retention and connect local companies with a skilled workforce.
• Del Mar College Programs: Including the APEX Accelerator, Contractor Resource Center, Cyber Center, and Small Business Development Center, with a total of $550,000, supporting technical assistance, training, and business development.

These programs, funded through the Corpus Christi B Corporation's Fiscal Year 2025 budget, will provide ongoing support to local businesses in areas such as finance, workforce development, cybersecurity, and government contracting. The Council's approval demonstrates the City's continued commitment to fostering economic growth and sustainability for Corpus Christi's small business ecosystem.

For more information, media representatives can contact Public Information Officer Brianna Sandoval at 361-826-6688 or by email at [email protected]