The San Antonio LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the San Antonio office of the U.S. Small Business Administration announced the formation of a strategic alliance that will provide access to the SBA’s services and programs to the chamber’s members.
The partnership was formalized earlier this month when the two organizations signed a Strategic Alliance Memorandum.
“The San Antonio LGBT Chamber of Commerce is really fortunate to be able to start a partnership with the SBA,” Luis Vazquez, the chamber’s president, said in an announcement. “We are looking for this partnership to bring gains to the LGBT business community and increase the benefits we can offer to our members.”
The Small Business Administration was founded in 1953 when it started providing loans, loan guarantees, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses.
In 2015, the SBA’s San Antonio District Office approved over 1,000 loans totaling just over $500 million.
In their joint announcement, the SBA and the chamber say the partnership will “develop and foster mutual understanding and a working relationship between the two organizations in order to strengthen and expand small business development through events such as networking opportunities and training seminars.”
“There are many programs that the SBA can provide that can benefit our membership and the increase the economy here in San Antonio,” said Vazquez. “We are here to promote growth in a diverse community, we are very happy that the SBA has programs that include everyone.”
