Resources and Support

Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI)

EGBI provides training, coaching and support to aspiring and existing business owners who face barriers to growing a successful business.

The Texas Governor's Office's comprehensive online guide to Start a Business in Texas provides the key information useful to those thinking about starting a business in Texas.

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) offers this grant to small businesses with 100 employees or less seeking to upskill or train new staff. 

Libraries are a great resource for researching a new business. They subscribe to expensive databases that you can use for free, if you are a member of the Library. The Texas State Library & Archives Commission can help you identify your nearest library. 

Austin SCORE is a national network of experienced executives who are willing to share their experience, as volunteer mentors, to help entrepreneurs (start-ups and established). SCORE also provides workshops and courses in business education to help small businesses grow and prosper.

The Small Business Division provides business training, educational events, and coaching to empower entrepreneurs. Their mission is to foster job creation and support the growth of new and existing businesses by providing capacity-building information, tools, and resources.

They offer a comprehensive directory of small business resources offered by local, state, and federal governments and non-profit agencies. Their goal for the City of Austin Small Business Guide is to increase awareness and use of the programs that provide aid in the development of your business.

EGBI is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). CDFIs lend to small businesses who may not be well served by main street banks. They also provide financial advice and training to help business owners make the most of their opportunities.

The Texas Restaurant Association primarily advocates for independent restaurants in Texas. They also offer training and networking opportunities.

Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) are a partnership between the US Small Business Administration (SBA) and universities. They provide free marketing, financing, and business-related assistance to local entrepreneurs. There are over 40 across Texas.

BCL of Texas is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). CDFIs lend to small businesses who may not be well served by main street banks. They also provide financial advice and training to help business owners make the most of their opportunities.

Businesses Investment Growth (BiG Austin) is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). CDFIs lend to small businesses who may not be well served by main street banks. They also provide financial advice and training to help business owners make the most of their opportunities.

JUST Community is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). CDFIs lend to small businesses who may not be well served by main street banks. They also provide financial advice and training to help business owners make the most of their opportunities.

PeopleFund is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). CDFIs lend to small businesses who may not be well served by main street banks. They also provide financial advice and training to help business owners make the most of their opportunities.

Star of Texas Credit Union is a Community Development Financial Institution(CDFI). CDFIs lend to small businesses who may not be well served by main street banks. They also provide financial advice and training to help business owners make the most of their opportunities.

The OSHCON Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) offers no-cost confidential OSHA compliance help and staff safety training to Texas employers.

The Manor Chamber of Commerce supports the business climate throughout Manor, advocates and builds partnerships through policies and regulations, and fosters a feeling of community by creating a positive first contact for businesses, residents, and visitors. 

The mission of Black Women In Business is to unite, educate and inspire businesswomen to excel in leadership and entrepreneurship. Its vision is to transform the foundation and development of black businesses by educating and encouraging entrepreneurs.

The Austin SBDC provides counseling and development assistance to Austin’s small business owners. They offer assistance and business solutions to help your business succeed and grow. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers resources for starting a business. 

Main Street America is compiling funding opportunities available to Main Streets and small businesses.

The Texas Downtown Association (TDA) offers essential programs and services and empowers their members to collaborate, think big, and connect.

Veterati is an innovative mentorship platform that makes being a mentor and finding mentors effortless. Connecting job-seekers to mentors at scale is phase 1 of Veterati’s greater mission: to transform job search from a painful experience into an inspiring journey. You can create a free profile to get unlimited access to thousands of volunteer mentors: CEOs, recruiters, entrepreneurs, managers, Veterans & civilians alike. 

American Corporate Partners (ACP) is a national nonprofit organization focused on helping returning veterans and active duty spouses find their next careers through one-on-one mentoring, networking and online career advice. 

EBV is a first-of-its-kind initiative that turns veterans into entrepreneurs! The EBV program leverages the skills, resources and infrastructure of higher education to offer cutting-edge, experiential training in entrepreneurship and small business management to post-9/11 veterans. The EBV opens the door to economic opportunity for veterans by developing their competencies in the many steps and activities associated with creating and sustaining an entrepreneurial venture. Founded at Syracuse University in 2007, the program has since expanded to additional universities across the U.S., including Texas A&M, among others. 

Opportunity Zones: US Department of Housing

Opportunity Zones are economically distressed communities, defined by individual census tracts, nominated by America’s governors, and certified by the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury via his delegation of that authority to the Internal Revenue Service. Under certain conditions, new investments in Opportunity Zones may be eligible for preferential tax treatment.

The United States Citizen and Immigrant Services (USCIS) administers the EB-5 Program. Under this program, investors (and their spouses and unmarried children under 21) are eligible to apply for lawful permanent residence (become a Green Card holder).

The City of Manor “City” through its City of Manor City Council, “Council” is providing rental assistance for up to 12 months for eligible brick and mortar small businesses that choose to locate in Manor.  Additionally, the “Council,” may provide assistance for existing small brick and mortar businesses to expand their gross rentable space.  In every case, the Council as well as the City reserves the right to deny applicants at its sole discretion.  Funding is subject to availability of resources and to the applicant business’s potential to strengthen, compliment and diversify the existing business makeup, as determined solely at the discretion of the Council and City.  

Non-profit businesses/organizations, food trucks and home-based businesses are not eligible for consideration.  Businesses must be contributing to the economic footprint of the City area to be eligible.