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Celebrate Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Day on October 17th

Few things represent Texas more than the spirit of entrepreneurship. Texas Governor Greg Abbott states, “Small businesses are the very backbone of the mighty Texas economy.” In fact, Texas has the world’s 9^th largest economy thanks to these business entities. Of the thousands of businesses that dot the Texas landscape, many are owned by people with disabilities.

The 88^th Legislature of Texas passed Senate Bill 464, which was signed into law by Governor Abbott, declaring October 17 to be Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Day. Following the passage of this bill, the Governor has issued a proclamation inviting all Texans to celebrate Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Day.

Texas’ commitment to supporting the values of entrepreneurship for people with disabilities is reflected through the numerous resources and services made available to them. Here’s what they are and how you can benefit:

• Texas Workforce Solutions Vocational Rehabilitation Services is the primary source for Texans with disabilities to thrive in this arena. For future entrepreneurs, they offer support services focused on helping Texans with disabilities achieve self-employment goals and form their own business enterprise. Another type of support they provide is for business owners who acquire disabilities later in life and need job retention supports to remove barriers to running their business. To sign up for their services, use their Start My VR portal.

• The Texas Economic Development Division under the Office of the Texas Governor has valuable information for entrepreneurs including a guide on how to start a business. They also host the Governor’s Small Business Summits all over the state with upcoming events scheduled in San Angelo, San Antonio, and Houston!

• New to the Governor’s Economic Development Division is a recently announced initiative called the Texas Small Business Credit Initiative (TSBCI). This initiative will allow Texans to administer two programs: a Capital Access Program and a Loan Guarantee Program, which are open to eligible new and existing Texas businesses with 499 or fewer employees. While all small businesses can apply, the TSBCI programs will focus on traditionally marginalized businesses and those that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications are being accepted on the TSBCI portal now through December 9, 2023.

With all these resources available for entrepreneurs with disabilities in Texas, there’s nothing but full steam ahead! On this day, let us celebrate the past and future successes of Texas entrepreneurs with disabilities.

The Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities provides GovDelivery updates for informational purposes on a variety of disability related issues for a diverse audience. Updates may include information provided by external sources. The inclusion of this external information does not constitute an official endorsement or approval by the Committee or the Office of the Governor of any information, policy, product, or service offered by an external source.

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