SBA South Central Region News

SBA South Central Region - Serving AR, LA, NM, OK, TX

Paying Tribute to America's Veterans

William Clark Kent, pictured at left, opened San Antonio-based BTL Technologies, Inc. in 2005 after retiring from the U.S. Air Force and serving his country for over 22 years.  BTL provides medical and management services/staffing as well as IT management technologies.  With one employee and after the first contract award in 2006, the company has grown by 200% creating approximately 70 jobs in eight states. Certifications through the SBA‘s 8(a) Business Development Program and small disadvantaged business and the Veteran’s Administration’s service disabled veteran program has opened doors for BTL in the federal contracting arena.  READ MORE....

    Houston based SniperHill Internet Services, LLC was started in 2007 by Wallace Davis and Jerry Hartless.  An approved U.S. government contractor, SniperHill provides unlimited commercial Internet solutions to U.S. and Coalition Armed Forces, civilian contractors and international businesses operating on U.S. bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.  SniperHill began providing internet services in Iraq in 2007 and in 2010 became the first fiber optic internet provider for the U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq.  In 2011, SniperHill outgrew their corporate headquarters and expanded their company with an SBA 504 loan through Bank of Houston.  The SBA 504 Loan Program provides long-term, fixed-rate, subordinate mortgage financing for acquisition and/or renovation of capital assets including land, buildings and equipment.  READ MORE...

After serving her county for three years in the U.S. Army and then serving as a civilian veterinarian at Fort Bliss Veterinarian Treatment Facility in El Paso, Texas, Dr. Amy Starr, pictured at right,  decided she wanted to start her own business.  She had an idea to start a unique mobile veterinary clinic that could serve many pet owners. Dr. Starr could envision the success of her idea but required the funding to make her dream become a reality.  This is when she called on United Bank of Paso Del Norte, an SBA top lender in El Paso.  She presented her plan and as a veteran, she was able to obtain an SBA Patriot Express loan from United Bank. READ MORE...

Jerome C. Garcia completed 23 years of military service, multiple overseas tours and one combat deployment, before deciding to retire. When the economy took an economic downturn, Jerome and his wife, Michele, pictured at right, took control of their own destiny and started Southwest General Construction (SGC) in February  2009. Jerome had already obtained his general contractors license.  He is a civil engineer, a U.S. Army Engineer Officer and Operation Iraqi Freedom War Veteran with substantial experience in military construction and federal service.  In 2010, Jerome and Michele sought to become certified in the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program.  Jerome has received further assistance from SBA by participating in SBA’s 7j Training program in 2011 and he attended and graduated from the SBA’s 2012 e200 Emerging Leaders Program.  READ MORE...

David Garza, pictured at left, served in the National Guard in Iraq in 2010 and is also a former employee of the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office in Edinburg, Texas. In July 2012, he and his wife Noelia opened their own business, Mid Valley Archery,  located at 205 E. Business 83, Ste. B, Weslaco, Texas, with the help of the local University of Texas-Pan American Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC).  Mid Valley Archery, an archery instruction and recreation business has become a big hit with the local community youth market.  Garza received counseling and mentorship from VBOC, an SBA  resource partner located in Edinburg. He received start-up counseling as well as assistance in preparing a business plan.  READ MORE...