San Antonio, TX (November 13, 2012) – The UTSA International Trade Center today announced that its clients created 688 new jobs and retained 1,366 jobs as a result of the center’s consulting and market research activities during FY 2012 (Sept. 1, 2011-Aug. 31, 2012). The results come from the nationally recognized Chrisman Survey, which tracks economic impact of all Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) in the United States by measuring client success and growth.
The results are a significant increase from FY 2011, when the International Trade Center created 322 jobs and helped its clients retain 1,106 jobs that would otherwise have been reduced. In addition, the Center reported $117 million in export sales, an increase from $83 million in FY 2011. The most dramatic increase was in new financing, which is an indicator of business infrastructure growth and investment. In 2012, International Trade Center clients reported $45 million in new financing, while in 2011 clients reported $9 million.
Economic impact data is a crucial measurement for the overall performance and effectiveness of the International Trade Center. The results, from companies in South-West Texas, are indicative of the health and direction of the economy of the entire state.
“2012 is our 20th anniversary and we are pleased to celebrate it by also celebrating the impact our assistance to local companies is making in the regional economy. Each year, we aim to be more productive and more effective than the last; the numbers indicate we have been able to achieve that goal consistently,” said Cliff Paredes, director of the International Trade Center.
The International Trade Center at UTSA is one of the largest and most successful trade assistance organizations in Texas. It helps companies become globally competitive through technical trade consulting, customized market research and innovative training programs. The center is a specialty SBDC program in the South-West Texas Border SBDC Network. Follow us on Twitter (@TexasTrade) and like us on Facebook (Facebook.com/texastrade).
Additional economic impact data will be released in the International Trade Center’s forthcoming 2012 annual report, scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2013.
To learn more about the International Trade Center, visit https://texastrade.org.
