Building strong relationships between Chambers of Commerce and Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) is crucial for fostering economic growth and supporting local entrepreneurs. Chambers, such as the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FWHCC), serve as a hub for business networking, advocacy, and resources, while SBDCs provide valuable support in areas like business planning, financial management, and strategic growth.
The Benefits of Partnering with SBDCs
Comprehensive Business SupportSBDCs offer specialized training and consulting services that complement chamber programs such as our Banking Council and Advocacy Committee. By working together, chambers and SBDCs can provide a more holistic approach to business development, ensuring entrepreneurs receive the guidance they need to succeed.
Increased Access to Funding OpportunitiesMany small businesses struggle with securing funding. SBDCs can connect businesses to loans, grants, and other financial resources, aligning with chamber efforts like our Events Committee to secure sponsorships and fundraising opportunities. This partnership helps businesses become more financially stable and investment-ready.
Enhanced Training and WorkshopsChambers can collaborate with SBDCs to host joint workshops and educational programs that focus on financial literacy, marketing strategies, and growth planning. Our Ambassador Program is a great example of how chamber members can engage with such educational initiatives to further their business acumen.
Networking and Community EngagementA partnership with SBDCs can increase networking opportunities for chamber members by connecting them with business experts, government resources, and potential investors. Collaborations like these also strengthen the chamber’s role in supporting local economic development initiatives.
Policy Advocacy and Business SupportChambers often work closely with policymakers to advocate for small business-friendly policies. By partnering with SBDCs, chambers can leverage data and case studies to push for meaningful legislative changes that benefit the business community. Our Advocacy Committee plays a crucial role in this effort, ensuring our members’ voices are heard at the local, state, and national levels.
How to Strengthen Chamber-SBDC Relationships
Host Joint Events: Organize networking mixers, training workshops, and panel discussions that involve both chamber members and SBDC advisors.
Share Resources: Develop co-branded educational materials that highlight the services offered by both organizations.
Cross-Promotion: Utilize chamber newsletters and social media platforms to promote SBDC services and vice versa.
Collaborate on Grant Applications: Work together to secure funding for joint initiatives that benefit small business owners.
Conclusion
Establishing a strong partnership between Chambers of Commerce and SBDCs enhances the support ecosystem available to small businesses. Whether it’s through shared resources, co-hosted events, or policy advocacy, this relationship empowers entrepreneurs to thrive and contribute to the local economy.
Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is set to begin with the exit of its president and CEO.
Anette Landeros announced Oct. 23 that she will move to a new position as chief strategy officer of Trinity Metro, the Fort Worth-area transit agency. She will officially exit the chamber Dec. 13. The organization’s board of directors will announce details of their search to replace Landeros in the coming weeks.
“It has been an honor to serve this incredible organization and the dynamic community of businesses that make up the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce,” Landeros said in a statement. “Together, we have accomplished so much, and I am grateful for the relationships, partnerships, and growth we have achieved. While it is bittersweet to move on, I am excited to continue serving Fort Worth in this new role at Trinity Metro.”
Known for her community-building and nonprofit service, Landeros led the Hispanic chamber for more than five years after working as a project manager in the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Landeros helped increase the chamber’s innovation and intentional community programs to better service the organization’s membership and the Historic Northside area, where the chamber’s offices are located. The chamber is leading a Main Street America pilot program to revitalize the Northside business district, along with pitch competitions and the Hecho en Fort Worth initiative, among others.
The chamber said in a news release that Landeros helped create greater opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses to thrive and forged critical partnerships with the private and public sectors to elevate the chamber’s role in advocating for Hispanic business success.
During Landeros’ tenure, she led the chamber through unprecedented growth, focusing on enhancing economic opportunities for Hispanic-owned businesses while positioning the chamber as a pivotal force for inclusion in the business community, the organization said.
The chamber, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, has grown from an initial membership of 30 to include hundreds of businesses and entrepreneurs.
Ish Arebalos, chair of the Hispanic chamber, expressed his gratitude for Landeros’ contributions to the organization.
“Anette’s leadership has had a profound impact on the chamber, and her legacy of collaboration, innovation, and community-building will continue to guide us forward,” Arebalos said. ”We are incredibly proud of her, and while we will miss her in this role, we are excited for her new opportunity with Trinity Metro.”
Ben Robertson, vice president and director of business development for Byrne Construction Services, serves as a board member for both the Hispanic chamber and Trinity Metro.
“In the five years Anette led the Hispanic chamber, the chamber has been the most successful it’s ever been,” Robertson said. “She is leaving the chamber in great shape thanks to her leadership. In regard to her new position, I can’t think of a more qualified person to be a part of Trinity Metro as it grows and expands.”
Rich Andreski, president and CEO of Trinity Metro, said Landeros’ extensive background in community leadership and transportation makes her the ideal person to guide the transit agency’s growth plans as its ridership increases.
“As we continue to set new records with TEXRail and Trinity Railway Express ridership and see rapid growth in the popularity of the Orange Line, this is the perfect time to bring Anette on board,” Andreski said. “Anette has an incredible understanding of the Fort Worth community and transportation. Her leadership will be instrumental in shaping our strategic initiatives and driving forward-thinking solutions for the future.”
Jeff Davis, Trinity Metro’s board chairman, said he was enthusiastic about Landeros’ appointment.
“Anette is a fantastic addition to the very capable Trinity Metro leadership team and will bring her unique perspective and talents to expand public transportation throughout Tarrant County,” Davis said.
Former TXU vice president Alex Jimenez, who once chaired both the Fort Worth and Dallas Hispanic chambers, said Landeros has been the most significant Latino business leader in North Texas in the last five decades.
“I think it is a big loss for the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber,” Jimenez said. “I think she’s been the best CEO/executive director for either Hispanic chamber within the last 50 years. I think she’ll do great things at Trinity Metro if they don’t get in her way.”
Landeros has strong business skills, significant community ties and a strong vision to accomplish her goals, Jimenez added.
“I think Anette has it all,” he said.
The San Antonio native moved to Fort Worth in 2009 and found ways to connect with the community. She became very involved in the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas, a statewide nonprofit organization, over the course of a decade including two years as state chair.
“Fort Worth has a really special way of getting you involved in the community,” Landeros previously told the Fort Worth Report. “It’s a city where if you want to be engaged, and if you want to meet like-minded people, and organizations, it’s super easy to navigate, I found.”
The mother of two children is married to Fort Worthian Joseph Landeros, who operates Casa Azul Coffee, a Northside coffee shop inspired by his father and his love of coffee.
Family is important to Landeros, who is the first in her family to get a college degree.
“At the end of the day, those businesses are really families, and they employ other families,” she told the Report. “If we can help somebody who has a dream and aspiration, a desire to build something for themselves, and we can help them either start it, or maybe it’s already started, and we can help them grow it, that means that their family is going to be better off, that means that their employees are going to be better off, they’ll be able to hire more people, which means more families are going to be better off.”
Landeros, who received her bachelor’s degree in public policy analysis from Indiana University Bloomington and a master’s degree in public affairs from the University of Texas’ Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, began taking on management roles starting in her 20s.
Her civic involvement includes service as a board member of Fort Worth Sister Cities International and Carter BloodCare.
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Beginning February 4, small businesses in Fort Worth can apply for free BinaxNow rapid COVID-19 tests through the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FWHCC). Apply online!
In an effort to support the continued operation of small businesses throughout the State of Texas, the FWHCC will be participating in a program established by Governor Abbott to provide BinaxNow rapid COVID-19 tests to small businesses in their communities. Small businesses will be required to be trained on proper testing protocols, to include test administration and reporting of results as required by law.
“Our community has been devastated by the loss of loved ones and community leaders,” said FWHCC President/CEO Anette Landeros. “Our Chamber feels a sense of duty to help in any way possible, which now includes coordinating the dissemination of free COVID test kits so that small businesses can test employees and help keep their workers safe. Faster confirmation of a positive COVID case will hopefully help us slow the spread.”
The FWHCC will make the BinaxNow test kits available to any existing or new chamber member business with fewer than 500 employees. TDEM will provide BinaxNow test kits, facemasks, training, and support. Participating businesses will identify staff members to be trained to administer the tests and report the results as well as determine the manner that the voluntary testing will be conducted for their employees. All testing of employees must be voluntary and not a condition of employment. Businesses will also be responsible for establishing appropriate policies for addressing positive COVID-19 test results of their employees, including the notification of local health departments.
Businesses can register for free BinaxNow test kits beginning on February 4th by visiting www.fwhcc.org or calling 817-625-5411. Read the full press release.
Preserve the Fort initiative offers $10 million in grants to Fort Worth small businesses
The City of Fort Worth recently received approximately $158 million in funding from the CARES Act, and is partnering with the United Way of Tarrant County to distribute $10 million of those funds to Fort Worth small businesses through the Preserve the Fort small business grant program.
Of the $10 million allocated for Preserve the Fort grants, $2.5 million will be dedicated to supporting minority-owned businesses, and another $2.5 million is reserved for businesses located in the city’s Neighborhood Empowerment Zones and Designated Investment Zones – areas of Fort Worth that are predominantly low-to-moderate income, which the city has already identified for revitalization efforts.
Grant applications will be processed with the help of partners at the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce.
Applications for Preserve the Fort grants open Tuesday, May 26, and will close at 11:59 p.m. Monday, June 15. Business owners can apply at fortworthtexas.gov/preserve-the-fort.
“These grants are critical to helping support and preserve the city’s small business community, which has helped define so much of Fort Worth’s character,” said Robert Sturns, the city’s Economic Development Director. “As businesses across the state start to reopen, these grants can help offset some of the costs from the recent shutdown and provide a way forward for those small businesses who have been hit hardest.”
“We applaud the City of Fort Worth for developing the Preserve the Fort Grant Program and using CARES Act funding to help our small business community,” said Leah King, President and CEO of United Way of Tarrant County. “The impact of COVID-19 has been devastating to so many small business owners who had to close because of the shelter-in-place restrictions. It is our sincere hope that these funds allow them to get back on their feet and position them for long-term success.”
Eligibility
Grant funds are open to businesses who fit the following criteria:
Small business (250 employees or less).
Located within the City of Fort Worth, with a Fort Worth mailing
Registered to do business in the State of
Business must have been in operation since 1, 2019.
Self-employed individuals, independent contractors, sole proprietors, and nonprofits serving the business community are also
If a business has already received funds from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or an Economic Injury Disaster Loan, they are still eligible to receive these funds. However, priority will be given to businesses that have not received funding through these programs.
For more information about eligibility requirements and other questions, a list of frequently asked questions is available on the Preserve the Fort webpage in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Funding information
Depending on the number of full-time staff a business employed as of March 17, 2020, the funding levels are:
Micro-enterprises with less than 5 employees are eligible for a grant of $5,000.
Level I businesses (with 6-25 employees) are eligible for a grant of $7,500.
Level II businesses (with 26-50 employees) are eligible for a grant of $10,000.
Level III businesses (with 51-250 employees) are eligible for a grant of $50,000.
Preserve the Fort grant funds can be used to reimburse the costs of business interruption due to COVID-19 as a result of required closures, voluntary closures to promote social distancing, or decreased customer demand. A complete list of examples is available on the Preserve the Fortwebpage.
Businesses who receive grant funding are required to document how the funds are used.
Before applying
Business owners can complete the Preserve the Fort funding application more quickly by getting the following business documents in order:
A completed W-9
Documentation of Going Concern and Business This will require one of the following documents: Secretary of State Texas File Number, Employee Identification Number, DBA, 2018 or 2019 tax return (schedules not required), Individual Taxpayer Identification Number or Certificate of Filing.
Proof of This will require one of the following documents: W-3 form, 941 form, or other document showing payroll expenses, employer insurance expenses, or employer retirement expenses for the first quarter of 2020 (prior to the COVID-19 emergency declaration on March 17, 2020) as well as the most current version of this document.
Profit & Loss (P&L) statement for 2019, as well as a P&L statement as of March
For sole proprietors, applicants are required to provide a 2018 or 2019 Schedule
Because this may be the first time that many business owners are applying for financial aid, there are a variety of resources available to help make this application process as simple as possible.
In addition to FAQs and other documents available on the Preserve the Fort website in three languages, Tarrant Small Business Development Center is staffing a call center to help business owners prepare their application documentation or fill out their applications between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact the call center for assistance at 817-515-2603.
For more information about the Preserve the Fort grant program, contact the City of Fort Worth Communications & Public Engagement Office at 817-392-8889 or by emailingfwmedia@fortworthtexas.gov.
You’ve invested in our community, and with the support of Facebook, we want to invest in you. The funds received from the Support the Fort: Small Business Grant Program may be allocated for the following expenses: mortgage/rent, inventory, working capital, payroll, marketing, or IT innovation.
The grant will be in amounts up to $5,000. The Fort Worth Chamber Foundation will disburse the funds among eligible small businesses once the selection process is complete. APPLY NOW!
