Entrepreneurs don’t have to go at it alone; help & opportunities available

The Lamar State College Port Arthur Small Business Development Center is experiencing a surge for services as a number of announced industrial projects in Southeast Texas are creating a desire for locally owned businesses.

SBDC Director Dana Espinal said recent news has brought forth several new clients looking to enter into construction and other services that would assist an industrial boom.

This Spring, Sempra Infrastructure announced it is moving forward with Phase One of the Port Arthur LNG project in Jefferson County, and officials broke ground on an $8.5 billion Golden Triangle Polymers Company plant in Orange County.

And the SBDC is serving both counties to ensure local entrepreneurs can be involved and thrive.

“They are the backbone of our economy,” Espinal said. “Small businesses are the economic engine of the local communities.”

The SBDC provides support for business owners. The center also offers a variety of classes such as SBDC orientation, QuickBooks training, tax preparation, insurance types, developing a business plan, management/human resources and customer service.

And in May, it will be recognizing 17 locally owned businesses during the 2023 Small Business Awards Banquet.

This year’s theme is “Reimagining Main Street.”

“I feel like we’re in line with what they’re doing across the country in bringing back that small town feel, that destination location, to ‘main street,’ if you will,” Espinal said. “I’m excited about this year’s awards banquet. It’s always good to see everyone come together to honor and recognize these small businesses.”

The first banquet was held in 2012. Following a lull during the pandemic, the banquet returned in person last year.

“The focus of the small business awards is to recognize the hard work, the dedication and the sacrifices small businesses have made and contributed to our communities,” Espinal said. “Of course we’re there to help small businesses start, grow and succeed. We want to be the first-choice service provider to any small business to help them through that — whether they are starting a business, growing a business or looking at succession planning.”

— Written by Monique Batson