Small Business Resources
Here at Midland Development Corporation, we know how hard Midland small businesses work and that they play a vital role in the strength of our economy. Whether you're years into your business or you're just getting started, our community has resources available to entrepreneurs and business owners from all walks of life.
Midland Development Corporation's Business Retention and Expansion Program
The Midland Development Corporation is passionate about pouring into our local businesses to keep them strong and keep them in business. Our Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Program aims to hear out the concerns of Midland businesses and learn how the MDC might be able to connect them to resources available in our community. Our BRE Coordinator arranges a BRE visit with a Midland-owned business to meet and learn about their business and how they might need assistance.
Interested in a BRE visit? Send over an email to ssteele@midlandtxedc.com.
Founders Blend Midland
The Midland Development Corporation is a community partner of Founders Blend Midland, a community for small business owners and entrepreneurs in Midland, Texas. Founders Blend meets once a month around Midland with free coffee and conversations between other business owners and entrepreneurs. During the meeting, 2 businesses will present their business and some challenges they have faced while in business and they are learning from it. Learn what has worked for other businesses in Midland, what hazards to steer clear of, and share some of the wisdom you have gained from your own experiences.
We invite you to join us each month.
Midland Entrepreneurial Challenge
The Midland Entrepreneurial Challenge was initiated in 2017 and is administered by UT Permian Basin and the Small Business Development Center. This event identifies and nurtures businesses around Midland through the Challenge's process of creating a business plan, market research, and financial training. The Challenge starts each Fall with an orientation where businesses interested are welcome to gather more information about participating. The Challenge wraps up at the end of January.
An independent panel of judges made up of local business owners and involved community members will select up to five businesses to take their share of $500,000.
Since the creation of the Midland Entrepreneurial Challenge, over 20 businesses have finished the Challenge as finalists and received a portion of the prize. Numerous jobs and opportunities have been created from the Challenge and from each of these businesses.
The Midland Development Corporation helps to fund the Midland Entrepreneurial Challenge, but the Challenge is administered by UT Permian Basin and the Small Business Development Center staff.
Midland College BEDC
The Midland College Business & Economic Development Center provides free business, credit, and housing counseling alongside regular classes and workshops. The collaborative effort between Midland College and the city of Midland aims to help Midlanders increase credit scores, purchase homes, and start or expand their businesses.
Small Business Development Center
Business owners and entrepreneurs in Midland have access to the Small Business Development Center through UT Permian Basin. The Center offers professional and confidential business advising, training programs, and a referral network.
The offered workshops are cost friendly while business advising is at no cost. The SBDC has created over 210 new jobs and helped 35 business start since they opened their doors.
UTPB's Office of Innovation & Commercialization
UT Permian Basin's Office of Innovation & Commercialization is located in the CEED Building on UT Permian Basin's Midland Campus. This office is also located right next to UTPB's business incubator, maker space, wet lab space, coworking space, and advanced manufacturing center.
Can't make it over to the CEED? There are fantastic resources available online through the Office of Innovation & Commercialization.
Midland Chamber of Commerce
The Midland Chamber of Commerce is a membership-based organization that provides recognition of Midland business as well as networking and training opportunities. This is done through a number of events, programs, and initiatives from the Chamber of Commerce.
Midland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
The Midland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is a membership-based organization that is committed to the growth and success of the Midland business community. The MHCC hosts a variety of events and programs to bring connections to their members.