MRT: HPD Cites Personnel as Reason for Not Pursuing Sex Assault Cases; ATX Council Approves Expansion Step; TX Delegation Pushes Biden on LNG Pause
MRT: HPD Cites Personnel as Reason for Not Pursuing Sex Assault Cases; ATX Council Approves Expansion Step; TX Delegation Pushes Biden on LNG Pause
Here's What You Need to Know in Texas Today.
MustReadTexas.com – @MustReadTexas
BY: @MattMackowiak
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FRIDAY – 04/19/24
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TOP NEWS
“UTSA economic development institute adds $2.6B to Texas economy,” San Antonio Express-News' Brandon Lingle -- “A University of Texas at San Antonio program that helps small businesses across the region infused $2.6 billion into the state’s economy last year, according to its latest economic impact report.
The Valdez Institute for Economic Development — housed at UTSA’s downtown campus — uses federal, state and local funding to support small-business owners across 10 centers that serve 79 counties between El Paso and Corpus Christi, including the San Antonio area.
In 2023, it assisted 41,231 clients, helped launch 545 new businesses and grow 914 existing businesses, created 4,042 jobs and saved 7,934 jobs, according to the Valdez Institute’s annual report for 2023. It also provided training and workshops to 29,665 people and completed 7,811 consultations with area businesses.
The institute’s economic impact shrank by roughly $4 million from 2021, when it posted a $3 billion economic impact. However, the recent report’s authors said that COVID-19 pandemic relief programs such as the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans assistance helped fuel the strong performance.
The institute “is a prime example of how UTSA is strengthening Texas’ economy,” said JoAnn Browning, UTSA’s interim vice president for research, in a statement. “Its work with entrepreneurs across South and West Texas is creating jobs and improving the quality of life for individuals and their families, which in turn is creating revenue for our state.”
Launched in 1979 and renamed in 2023 to honor its founder, Jude Valdez, who spent nearly 40 years teaching at the university, the institute has helped more than 6,500 businesses and created 70,000 jobs since its inception.
“A lot of people don’t necessarily know about the program or the services that we provide at no cost because they’re grant funded,” said Tom Tunstall, a senior research director with the institute. “You can get assistance for your small business in the form of counseling from people who have run their own businesses and are experts at helping businesses grow at no cost.”
Similar services from private consultants can cost several hundred dollars an hour or more, he said. And besides cost savings, the institute’s support for businesses is often enduring rather than a short-term interaction.
“It’s these repeated interactions or interventions with the businesses, and that’s one of the things that makes us effective,” Tunstall said. “It’s counseling that occurs over a long period.”
In the institute’s analysis, it did not assess the university’s total economic impact on the San Antonio area. Tunstall’s office last produced a report on that broader topic in 2023, which examined UTSA’s economic impact in 2021. It reported that UTSA contributed $2.5 billion to the greater San Antonio economy in fiscal 2021, a 30% increase over three years. The researchers attributed the jump to UTSA’s designation as a Tier One research university in 2021, which has helped it get more funding for research and services.
With other industries in the area, UTSA doesn’t have as much relative impact on the local economy as universities do in smaller college towns such as Lubbock or College Station; however it’s a growing economic driver for this area. San Antonio’s larger population and other industries — including military, tourism, financial services, technology, manufacturing and aerospace — are the factors that drive the area’s economy apart from UTSA, Tunstall said.
“At the same time, we like to make the point that UTSA still plays its role in local economy and also, hopefully, downtown revitalization,” he said." SAEN
AAS: “Texas Education Agency must accommodate teachers during certification tests, DOJ says” AAS
HOU CHRON: “Houston police charge 27 people linked to 260k suspended cases” Houston Chronicle
AAS: “City Council OKs new utility plant at Austin airport; more steps in expansion to come” AAS
SAEN: “Bexar County's No. 2 prosecutor signs on with Travis County DA” SAEN
AAS: “Ted Cruz granted extension on FEC personal finance statement; Democrats pounce” AAS
HOU CHRON: “House Republicans challenge Biden administration over LNG permit pause” Houston Chronicle
EXTRA POINTS
Last night's Texas sports scores:
> MLB: Rangers 9, Tigers 7 DMN
This weekend's Texas sports schedule:
Fri
> 3:45pm: MLB: Astros at Nats
> 4:20pm: MLB: Rangers at Braves (Apple TV)
Sat
> 1:05pm: MLB: Astros at Nats
> 4:20pm MLB: Rangers at Braves
Sun
> 12:30pm: NBA: #5 Mavs at #4 Clippers (ABC)
DALLAS MAVERICKS: “Dallas Mavericks' Kyrie Irving gives advice to playoff newscomers" DMN
SAN ANTONIO SPURS: Finger: “In the Atlanta Hawks' misery, San Antonio Spurs have plenty to gain" SAEN
DALLAS COWBOYS: “Advantages of Cowboys' Tyler Smith at LG? Duke Manyweather explains" DMN
HOUSTON TEXANS: “Draft looks different after breakthrough season" Houston Chronicle