Let’s create Opportunities here at home
Direct Support for
Small + Legacy
Businesses
Small and micro businesses are the lifeblood of San Antonio’s economy, accounting for 93% of all employer businesses and 34% of the local workforce.
However, despite their critical role, these businesses face significant barriers to growth, including limited access to capital, fragmented business support services, and a lack of culturally competent resources for minority-owned businesses. Building on the work already underway in Councilmember Melissa Cabello Havrda’s office, this policy proposal aims to address these challenges head-on by providing direct, actionable support to small and micro businesses, particularly those in underserved neighborhoods and industries.
Policy Solutions
San Antonio has a proven model for attracting major corporate investment—it's time to apply that same level of commitment to the small businesses that define our city’s economy and culture. Our solutions are designed to be hyper-local, inclusive, and results-driven.
1. Develop the San Antonio Small Business Playbook
- Expand access to economic incentives for small businesses, including tax abatements, fee waivers, low-interest loans, and economic development grants.
- Provide small businesses with a Small Business Navigator — a single point of contact for expedited permitting, development support, and site identification, similar to what is offered to large corporations.
- Identify funding sources and long-term investment strategies to sustain small business growth, ensuring they remain competitive and can scale successfully.
- Strengthen partnerships with local, state, and federal programs to maximize resources available to small businesses.
2. Establish a Small Business
Navigator Program
- Hire and deploy Small Business Navigators to serve as on-the-ground liaisons in underserved neighborhoods.
- Navigators will assist with: Licensing and permitting processes. Access to city grants and loans. Market analysis and expansion strategies. Connections to culturally competent business support organizations (BSOs).
- Establish Small Business Ecosystem metrics within the Economic Development Department to: Track long-term priorities and measure progress. Ensure equitable distribution of resources across neighborhoods and industries. Facilitate partnerships between BSOs, philanthropic organizations, and city agencies.
- Develop a Small Business Resource Portal to provide a one-stop shop for information on grants, loans, training programs, and other resources.
- Make the Second Stage Grant Program accessible to more small businesses by lowering eligibility requirements and focusing on growth industries.
- Lower the revenue threshold from 1 million to $500,000 and reduce the employee requirement from 10+ to 5+ employees.
- Allocate a portion of grant funds specifically for minority-owned businesses and those in underserved industries.
- Include funding for marketing and customer expansion initiatives, such as digital advertising, social media campaigns, and local market research.
3. Expand + Reform
Second Stage Grant Program
4. Create a
Micro Business Growth Fund
Provide direct financial support to micro businesses (1–4 employees) that are often excluded from existing programs.
- Establish a $5 million fund to offer grants of up to $ 25,000 for:
- Infrastructure improvements (e.g., storefront upgrades, equipment purchases).
- Marketing and customer acquisition efforts.
- Workforce training and development.
- Partner with local banks and credit unions to offer low-interest loans for micro businesses that need additional capital.
5. Enhance Marketing
+ Customer Expansion Support
The #1 need identified by small businesses.
- Audit the San Antonio Digital Presence Program to locate consistent gaps, and opportunities to better serve micro and small businesses.
- Create a Small Business Marketing Grant to fund digital advertising, social media campaigns, and local market research.
- Develop a San Antonio Small Business Marketplace, an online platform to promote local businesses and connect them with customers.
Join the movement for local small and legacy businesses.
We all love our local businesses! San Antonio’s small businesses deserve more than just recognition—they deserve real support. Melissa Cabello Havrda is leading the charge to break down barriers, expand opportunities, and create a stronger, more inclusive local economy. Join us in building a city where every small business has the tools to succeed.
- Your Priorities
Join us as we build a city where everyone thrives.
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