Small Businesses Get a Boost through Forum

The office of Governor Rick Perry, in conjunction with Workforce Solutions and the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce, hosted a small business forum in Brownwood on Tuesday in an effort to help existing businesses tap in to resources to help them boost their business.

Federal, state, and local agencies and organizations outlined the many support, loan, and grant programs available to small businesses in the area.  Almost 100 attendees heard overviews of each program and how they can tap into these available resources.   The Governor’s office has been hosting these types of forums across the state to help educate the Texas entrepreneur and small business community on workforce development, marketing, hiring and managing employees, and training and growth opportunities.

“Small businesses are an integral part of the engine that drives our state economy,” said Governor Rick Perry in a video message to those in attendance.  “These forums will give small business owners essential tools to help their businesses succeed, provide jobs for Texans and strengthen the economies in their communities.”

Numerous business owners and managers from small retail merchants, local lenders, industrial manufactures, local franchises, and many other heard from the Texas Workforce Commission, Office of the Governor Economic Development and Tourism Division, Texas Department of Agriculture, Small Business Development Center, USDA Rural Development, and numerous other local groups.

U.S. Congressman Mike Conaway also took time to address small business owners at the event and outlined ways that he thinks the federal government can help businesses.

“When people ask ‘what should the federal government be doing at this stage in our lives’ with respect to our economy – it would be ‘get out of the way,’” Conaway said.

He outlined three points on how he believes the federal government can “get out of the way” and help improve local businesses – put a lower tax policy in place, ease the regulatory burden, and reduce the size of the federal government. (see video at bottom of page for a clip of these points by Conaway).

Local businesses were also offered one-on-one consultations and additional information after the forum in an information area set up to offer additional support.

For more information on local business resources in the Brownwood area, visit