New Braunfels EDC is the brand of the community’s “one-stop” shop effort that includes the City via their New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation (NBEDC), The Chamber and Economic Development Foundation. The NBEDC issues loans and grants funded by the Type B tax. The revenues from the Type B tax can be used to fund a wide variety of projects including land, buildings, equipment, facilities expenditures and improvements related to projects defined in Section 2 of the Act or found by the NBEDC to be required or suitable for use for other projects.

Each incentive program is carefully tailored for a company’s needs and based on the number of jobs, amount of wages above the average county or industry wage, and capital investment to the community. The following economic programs are offered to assist interested business and industries in their expansion or relocation:

Business-Friendly Environment

Texas has one of the lowest tax burdens in the country and New Braunfels/Comal County businesses benefit from the State of Texas’ business-friendly tax policies. 

• Texas has no state personal income tax
• Texas has no corporate income tax
• No estate property tax
• No inheritance tax
• Residential homestead Exemption

This limited taxation ranks Texas at No. 15 overall in the Tax Foundation’s 2019 State Business Tax Climate Index. And, Texas has been named the second best state for businesses and leads the nation in new jobs.

Taxes Affecting New Braunfels/Comal County Businesses

Texas businesses pay sales and use tax, franchise tax, unemployment insurance tax, and ad valorem (property) tax.

• State Sales Tax Exemptions: These include tangible property which will be a component part of a manufactured product or consumed in processing, sales delivered out of state, and a number of other items, including food.
• Franchise Tax: The Texas franchise tax is a privilege tax imposed on each taxable entity chartered/organized in Texas or doing business in Texas. The tax is based on a corporation’s taxable capital and earned surplus. The current rate for taxable capital is 0.375% for the privilege period. The tax rate for earned surplus is 4.5%. The amount taxable on both is determined by gross receipts from business done in Texas, divided by gross receipts from all business done in and out of the state. Franchise tax exemptions, and franchise tax deductions are available for renewable energy (i.e. solar, wind, ethanol, and biodiesel) equipment and systems. For more information see the Renewable Energy Incentive below.
• Unemployment Tax: All Texas employers pay state unemployment tax. A new employer is taxed at 2.7% of the first $9,000 on individual earnings for at least six quarters to establish an experience rate. After that time, the employer may qualify for a rate adjustment. 2.7% or NAICS industry average whichever is higher.
• Ad Valorem (Property) Taxes: Texas has no property tax at the state level. Taxes are levied by all applicable local taxing authorities based on a property’s full market value on January 1 of the tax year and is assessed on 100% of appraised value. Properties may qualify for special exemptions on valuation if a valid application is filed by April 30. Texas businesses do not pay an inventory tax, but inventory is taxed as personal property.

Property Taxes

Comal County spans nine zip codes: (78070, 781320, 78131, 78132, 78133, 78135, 78163, 78266, 78623)

2019 Property Tax Rates

Chapter 380/381 Agreements

Chapter 380 of the Texas Local Government Code, authorizes municipalities to offer a range of incentives designed to promote state or local economic development. Specifically, it allows for the provision of loans and grants of city funds, as well as the use of city staff, city facilities or city services, at minimal or no charge.

To establish a loan or grant or to offer discounted or free city services, the city must meet the requirements contained in the Texas Constitution and in applicable Texas statutes. Additionally, cities must review their city charters and any other local provisions that may limit the city’s ability to provide such a grant or loan.

Chapter 381 of the Texas Local Government Code allows counties to provide incentives encouraging developers to build in their jurisdictions. A county may administer and develop a program to make loans and grants of public money to promote state or local economic development and to stimulate, encourage and develop business location and commercial activity in the county.

The county also may develop and administer a program for entering into a tax abatement agreement. This tool allows counties to negotiate directly with developers and businesses.

Property Tax Abatements

The City of New Braunfels offers property tax abatements for personal and real property as afforded by Chapter 312 of the Texas Local Government Code on a case by case basis tailored to the company’s needs and based on the type, value, and productive life of the property to be abated; number of jobs created or retained; capital investment; local payroll created; amount of local sales tax generated, and increase in tax base during and after abatement. Comal County offers property tax abatements in compliance with its Tax Abatement and Rebate Guidelines.

Click here to download Comal County’s Guidelines and Criteria for Tax Abatement’s and Rebates. Click here to download Comal County’s Application for Tax Abatement/Economic Development Incentives.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF)/Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZ)

Tax increment financing is a tool authorized by Chapter 311 of the Texas Tax Code which local governments can use to employ public financing for improvements to infrastructure and buildings within a designated area known as a reinvestment zone. The future tax revenues of each taxing unit that levies taxes on the property located within the zone repay the cost of improvements. Each taxing unit may choose to dedicate all, a portion of or none of the tax revenue gained as a result of improvements within the reinvestment zone. A reinvestment zone may be initiated directly by a municipality or through a petition submitted by the affected property owners. Although counties were authorized by statute to form reinvestment zones in 2005, Attorney General Opinion KP-0004 issued in 2015 stated that a court would likely rule a county reinvestment zone is not permitted under the Texas Constitution as currently written. Counties interested in initiating tax increment financing should seek the advice of legal counsel. Once a city has begun the process of establishing a tax increment financing reinvestment zone, other taxing units (except school districts) are allowed to participate in the tax increment financing agreement. These zones are commonly referred to either as a tax increment financing (TIF) zone or a tax increment reinvestment zone (TIRZ). The relevant statute outlines a multi-step process for implementing tax increment financing. To review Ch. 311 please click here.

Freeport and Goods in Transit Exemptions

A community may choose to offer the Freeport Exemption for various types of goods that are detained in Texas for a short period of time. Freeport property includes goods, wares, merchandise, ores, and certain aircraft and aircraft parts. Freeport property qualifies for an exemption from ad valorem taxation only if it has been detained in the state for 175 days or less for the purpose of assembly, storage, manufacturing, processing, or fabricating. For certain aircraft parts, a community, by official action, may extend the deadline to 730 days.

For more information, please visit the following links: Texas Constitution Article 8, Section 1-J: http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/CN/htm/CN.8.htm

Application for Exemption of Goods Exported from Texas (50-113): http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxforms/50-113.pdf

Appraised Value Limitations (i.e. School Property Tax Relief) Chapter 313

Authorized by Chapter 313 of the Texas Tax Code, an appraised value limitation is an agreement in which a taxpayer agrees to build or install property and create jobs in exchange for:

• A 10-year limitation on the taxable property value for school district maintenance and operations tax (M&O) purposes.

The minimum limitation value varies by school district.

The application for a limitation on the appraised value for M&O purposes is submitted directly to the school district and requires an application fee that is established by each school district.

To qualify for a tax credit, a separate application must be submitted to the school district after property taxes for the last complete year of the qualifying time period are paid. The credit is for the M&O taxes paid in excess of the limitation amount in each complete year of the qualifying time period.

The school district’s tax collector must credit the overage in equal parts over the last seven years of the agreement, but the credit in each year may not exceed 50 percent of the total taxes paid on the qualified property during that year. Any eligible amount not credited during the seven-year period are to be credited over the following three years, but the amount credited in each year may not exceed the total taxes paid on the qualified property in that year.

For more information on this incentive program and to obtain application forms, agreement forms, and reporting forms, please visit the State Comptroller’s webpage at https://comptroller.texas.gov/economy/local/ch313/index.php

Public Improvement Districts (PID)

A Public Improvement District is a defined geographical area established to provide specific types of improvements or maintenance which are financed by assessments against the property owners within the area. PIDs provide a development tool that allocates costs according to the benefits received. A PID can provide a means to fund supplemental services and improvements to meet community needs which could not otherwise be constructed or provided.

Chapter 372 of the Texas Local Government Code authorizes the creation of PIDs by cities (Click here to review Ch. 372). The owners of the properties in the defined area can request the City to form a PID through a petition, which may include the establishment of an Advisory Body. With the establishment of an advisory body, the property owners within the PID have control over the types of improvements, level of maintenance, and amount of assessments to be levied against the property owners.

State of Texas Business Incentives and Programs

Texas Product Development and Small Business Incubator Fund (PDSBI)

Collectively PDSBI, is a revolving loan program financed through original bond issuances. The primary objective of the program is to aid in the development, production and commercialization of new or improved products and to foster and stimulate small business in the state. The fund provides asset-based lending with flexible loan terms, competitive Loan-to-Value (LTV) and interest rates. Loan proceeds can be used for a broad range of capital and operating expenditures. Your company can secure loans with property, plant and equipment which can be amortized over the life of the asset. Communities or individual investors can assist as Guarantors.

To be eligible, applicants must have at least 3 years of operating history and have unencumbered assets available for collateral. Preference for funding is given to the state’s defined industry clusters including, but not limited to: nanotechnology, biotechnology, biomedicine, renewable energy, agriculture and aerospace. Texas is interested in creating and retaining high-quality jobs. For more information, please contact the Economic Development Finance department within the Governor’s Economic Development & Tourism Office at (512) 936-0100.

The Texas Leverage Fund (TLF)

Provides a source of financing to communities that have adopted an economic development sales tax. Communities may leverage future sales tax revenues to expand economic development through business expansions, business recruitment and exporting. Awarding loans from $25,000 to $5 million, the TLF is available for interim, long-term or gap financing. TLF loans provide flexible financing terms to match the unique needs of communities. The funds are low-cost loans, providing capital to communities at floating Prime Rate, as published in the Wall Street Journal.

Generally, economic development corporations are eligible to borrow up to $5 million. Future sales tax revenues serve as collateral for loan repayment with required debt service coverage ratios specified in the Texas Leverage Fund Program Guidelines. Pledged tax collections not needed for actual debt service are available for other projects. Loan proceeds must be used to pay eligible “costs” of “projects” as defined by the amended Development Corporation Act of 1979. Under the Act, examples of eligible projects include land, buildings, machinery and equipment for manufacturing and industrial operations as well as sports, athletic, entertainment and public park purposes and events.

For more information and/or to request an application packet, please contact the Governor’s Economic Development Finance department at (512) 936-0100.

The State of Texas Industrial Revenue Bond Program (IRB)

Provides tax-exempt or taxable financing for eligible industrial or manufacturing projects as defined in the Development Corporation Act of 1979. The Act allows cities, counties, and conservation and reclamation districts to form non-profit industrial development corporations (IDCs) or authorities on their behalf to provide bond financing for projects within their jurisdictions. The IDC issues bonds to finance the capital costs for an industrial or manufacturing business.

Generally, the bond debt service is paid by the business under the terms of a lease, sale or loan agreement. As such, it does not constitute a debt or obligation of the sponsoring governmental unit, the IDC or the State of Texas. Small issue bonds are limited to manufacturing facilities. The bond amount cannot exceed $10 million and the total capital expenditure limitation for the project is $20 million. Exempt facility bonds can be issued to finance facilities for the furnishing of water, sewage and solid waste disposal facilities, electric energy or gas production facilities, local district heating or cooling facilities and qualified hazardous waste facilities. Other exempt facility bonds can be issued to finance airports, dock and wharf facilities, mass commuting facilities and high-speed inter-rail facilities. These facilities must be government owned, but they can be leased or operated by management contractors.

Businesses interested in applying for an industrial revenue bond should contact the local industrial development corporation as well as legal counsel specializing in the issuance of municipal bonds who will submit application materials on the business’ behalf. The Industrial Revenue Bond Program is administered through the Office of the Governor, Economic Development Finance. For more information, please contact the Economic Development Finance department within the Governor’s Economic Development & Tourism Office at (512) 936-0100.

The Texas Military Value Revolving Loan Fund (TMVRLF)

Assists defense communities in enhancing the military value of a military facility in their area. The TMVRLF can help defense communities develop job-creating projects that minimize the negative effects of a defense base realignment or closure decision that occurred in 2005 or later. The fund can loan funds to help defense communities construct infrastructure to accommodate new or expanded military missions resulting from a base realignment and closure decision that occurred in 2005 or later.

The Revolving Loan Fund provides a low-cost source of financing to eligible defense communities who meet the application criteria. The minimum amount of a loan is $1 million, while the maximum amount of a loan is determined by the availability of funds. The amount of financing that can be provided is also dependent upon the creditworthiness of the applicant. The State may loan up to 100 percent of the cost of the described project. The Texas Military Value Revolving Loan Fund program is administered by the Texas Military Preparedness Commission. For additional information regarding the program, visit the following page or contact the Texas Military Preparedness Commission. For more information, please contact the Economic Development Finance department within the Governor’s Economic Development & Tourism Office at (512) 936-0100.

A Certified Capital Company (CAPCO)

A private government-sponsored venture capital company formed to increase the availability of growth capital for small businesses located in Texas. The program is also intended to stimulate job creation in Texas by requiring supported businesses to have at least 80 percent of payroll/manpower located within Texas. It’s one way small businesses in Texas receive venture capital.

To be eligible, the business must be headquartered in Texas (or relocate to Texas within 90 days of the CAPCO’s first investment); the business can have no more than 100 employees at the time of investment; 80 percent of payroll/workforce must be located within Texas; the primary business activity may be manufacturing, processing or product assembly, research and development or tangible services. The business may not be primarily engaged in retail sales, real estate development, insurance, banking, leasing, lending or professional services. By statute, a percentage of the CAPCO investments must be used for early stage businesses and businesses located in strategic investment areas. Get more information about CAPCO and the application process. For more information, please contact the Economic Development Finance department within the Governor’s Economic Development & Tourism Office at (512) 936-0100.

The Capital Access Program

Established to increase the availability of financing for businesses and nonprofit organizations that face barriers in accessing capital or fall outside the guidelines of conventional lending.  To begin the process, the borrower must apply for a loan with a participating lender (listed below) with terms established between the borrower and the lender.

Use of proceeds may include working capital or the purchase, construction, or lease of capital assets, which include buildings and equipment. Construction or purchase of residential housing and simple real estate investments (excluding those occupied by the applicant’s business), are ineligible uses of capital access proceeds.

To be eligible, a borrower must be:

• A small or medium-sized business(499 employees or less);
• A nonprofit organization; or
• Domiciled in this state or having at least 51% of its employees located in this state

For more information download and review the following documents: CAP Program Summary and FAQs. You may also contact a participating lender listed below or call the Office of the Governor’s Economic Development Finance department at (512) 936-0100.

Incentives

Event Trust Funds

The Event Trust Funds program applies local and state gains from sales and use, auto rental, hotel and alcoholic beverage taxes generated over a specified period of time.  Eligible events are not restricted to sports, but the venue must have been selected through a highly competitive selection process.

The Event Trust Funds can be used to help pay costs related to preparing for or conducting an event, including equipment, or to pay principal and interest on notes used to build or improve facilities to host the proposed event.  One hundred percent of allowable expenses can be funded provided sufficient tax receipts are deposited in the trust fund. The state has three separate event trust fund programs (the Events Trust Fund, Major Events Reimbursement Program and Motor Sports Racing Trust Fund), each designed to support different types of events.

Guidelines to the Events Trust Fund Programs should be reviewed before applying to the program.

View the Event Trust Funds Award database (as of July 31, 2017) of ETF/MERP/MSRTF Application Approvals and Disbursements since September 1, 2015. Updates will occur monthly.

Texas Enterprise Zone Program

An economic development tool for local communities to partner with the State of Texas to promote job creation and significant private investment that will assist economically distressed areas of the state. Approved projects are eligible to apply for state sales and use tax refunds on qualified expenditures. The level and amount of refund is related to the capital investment and jobs created at the qualified business site.

Texas communities must nominate companies in their jurisdiction to receive an Enterprise Zone designation and thus be eligible to receive state sales and use tax refunds on qualified expenditures by submitting an application on the company’s behalf. Companies must contribute information to the application packet where required. Companies must meet minimum capital investment thresholds and create and/or retain jobs that employ a certain percentage of economically disadvantaged individuals, enterprise zone residents, or veterans.

State sales and use tax refund, with the maximum allowable refund—both total and per-job—determined for each company which has been awarded a designation based on the company’s planned capital investment and job creation and/or retention at the qualified business site (see table below). Companies approved for Enterprise Zone designations are eligible to apply for refunds of the state sales and use tax they have paid during the designation period on qualified expenditures, up to their maximum allowable refund. The Texas Comptroller’s Office administers all refunds. EZP designations are effective beginning 90 days prior to the deadline for the applicable application round and extend for a period of not less than 1 year and not more than 5 years from the date on which the designation is made.

Sample of Texas Enterprise Zone Program Sales Tax Refunds

The target community will file the TEZP application. Community representatives will complete some of the application requirements and your company will provide information as needed. Download and review the following documents:

• Enterprise Project Application
• Additional Participating Entities Form
• Participating Consultant Form
• Sample Nominating Ordinance or Order
• Sample Nominating Resolution
• Sample Corporate Resolution
• Request for Verification of Deposit Form
• Enterprise Project Assignment Application Form
• Enterprise Project Name Change Application Form
• 2016 EZ Mandatory Participating Community Annual Report Form

The following materials may also provide information about the general program:

• Program Overview
• Texas Enterprise Zone Program Overview Brochure
• Enterprise Zone Program Statutes, Chapter 2303, Texas Government Code
• Enterprise Zone Program Rules, 10 TAC 176
• Frequently Asked Questions
• HUD Section 8 Income Limits by Texas Counties
• Chapter 311: Texas Tax Increment Financing Act
• Chapter 312: Property Redevelopment and Tax Abatement Act
• Chapter 313: Texas Economic Development Act

Texas Enterprise Zones:

• Enterprise Zone Finder on TexasSiteSearch.com
• What is my Block Group?
• Texas Block Group Enterprise Zones 2000 Census [496KB MSExcel]
• Texas Block Group Enterprise Zones 2010 Census [508KB MSExcel]
• 2017-2018 Project Deadlines with 90 Day Window [16KB MSExcel]
• 2017 Distressed Counties

Pollution Control Incentive

The pollution control incentive results from a Texas constitutional amendment approved in 1993. The incentive provides an exemption from property taxation for pollution control equipment. Compliance with environmental mandates through capital investments do not result in an increase in a facility’s property taxes. To qualify, a facility must first receive a determination from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) that the property to receive the exemption is used wholly or partly for preventing, monitoring, controlling or reducing air, water or land pollution.

Renewable Energy

Texas is a leading producer and consumer of alternative, renewable energy. Various tax exemptions, franchise tax exemptions and franchise tax deductions are available for renewable energy equipment and systems. Renewable energy encompasses solar, wind, ethanol and biodiesel energy. Several incentive programs apply:

• A franchise tax exemption is available to manufacturers, sellers or installers of solar energy devices. The state also permits a corporate deduction from the state’s franchise tax for renewable energy sources. Business owners may deduct the cost of the system from the company’s taxable capital or deduct 10 percent from the company’s income. Wind energy can qualify under the term “solar energy” for the exemption and deduction.
• Texas property tax code permits a 100 percent exemption on the appraised value of solar, wind or biomass energy devices installed or constructed for the production and use of energy on-site. See Texas property tax Form 50-123, “Exemption Application for Solar or Wind-Powered Energy Devices” to claim this exemption.
• Texas also offers a loan program to fund energy retrofits in public buildings. The “LoanSTAR” program is targeted to state agencies, school districts, higher education, local governments and hospitals for financed energy retrofits that pay for themselves in energy cost savings over time.

Detailed information on a variety of renewable energy exemptions and deductions is available on the State Energy Conservation Office website.

Manufacturing Exemptions

Provide state sales and use tax exemptions to taxpayers who manufacture, fabricate or process tangible property for sale. The exemption generally applies to tangible personal property that becomes an ingredient or component of an item manufactured for sale, as well as taxable services performed on a manufactured product to make it more marketable. Natural gas/electricity exemptions require a “predominant use study” that shows that at least 50 percent of the electricity or natural gas consumed by the business is used directly in the manufacturing process. Manufacturing exemptions are administered by the State Comptroller of Public Accounts. For information about applying for these exemptions and a full explanation of what is and is not exempt, visit the Comptroller’s website.

Data Center Exemption

Texas is ideally positioned for data center operations. The state is centrally located and has access to talented, experienced high tech workers. A data center exemption applies to state sales and use tax on certain items necessary and essential to the operation of a qualified data center. The exemption is for state sales tax only. Local sales taxes are due on purchases of these qualifying items. Qualification requirements and full details are available from the Comptroller of Public Accounts.

Research and Development Tax Credit

Companies engaged in research and development activities can receive reductions in either applicable sales tax or franchise tax (not both). Certain qualifications apply. The R&D tax credit is administered through the Comptroller of Public Accounts. For more detailed information, click here.

Business Relocation Deduction

A taxable entity may deduct relocation costs incurred in relocating the taxable entity’s main relocation costs incurred in relocating the taxable entity’s main office or other principal place of business to the State of Texas from another state or country. Certain qualifications apply. The deduction may not reduce apportioned margin below zero, and no carryover of unused deduction is allowed. For additional information, please click here: http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxforms/05-900.pdf

Economic Development and Diversification In-State Tuition for Employees

The Economic Development and Diversification In-State Tuition incentive may be offered to qualified businesses that are in the decision-making process to relocate or expand their operations into Texas. The incentive is targeted to assist high impact projects that are linked to the strategic economic clusters identified in the state. The incentive allows employees and family members of the qualified businesses to pay in-state tuition fees if the individual files with a Texas institution of higher education. Without this incentive designation, a student must reside in Texas for a 12-month period to be entitled to pay the tuition fees of a Texas resident. http://www.collegeforalltexans.com/apps/financialaid/tofa2.cfm?ID=567

Grants

Texas Enterprise Fund

Also known as the Deal Closing Fund. This fund offers a special incentive to choose Texas over other states. The fund is a cash grant used as a financial incentive tool for projects that offer significant projected job creation and capital investment and where a single Texas site is competing with another viable out-of-state option. Since its inception in 2004, the TEF has awarded over 140 grants totaling nearly $600 million across a wide variety of industries and projects committed to creating more than 80,000 jobs and investing more than $27 billion. TEF Award Listing – All Projects to Date (as of May 31, 2017).

Benefit

Award dollar amounts are determined using an analytical model applied uniformly to each TEF applicant. This model assures that the State of Texas will see a full return on its investment within the period of a project contract due to the resulting increase in estimated sales tax revenues. Variations in award amounts are influenced by the number of jobs to be created, the expected timeframe for hiring, and the average wages to be paid.

Eligibility

The TEF is a significant investment by Texas in the state’s economy. TEF grant recipients are contractually obligated to fulfill the terms of their job creation agreements with the State of Texas. Once a company has accepted an offer from the Texas Enterprise Fund, a signed contract is required prior to the distribution of an award. The contract obligates the grantee, among other terms and conditions, to job creation targets and commits the grantee to maintain these employment positions at or above the county average wage for the term of the agreement. Additionally, all TEF contracts contain provisions for grant repayment through clawbacks in the event that a grantee does not meet the obligations of the agreement.

“Deal-closing” cash grants are calculated according to a uniform analytical model for each applicant. Award amounts are calculated on the average wage of new employees, taking into account the expected hiring timeline and number of jobs created, with per-employee award amounts subject to adjustment based on the company’s total proposed capital investment.

To be eligible, a project must meet the following criteria:

• Competition with another state for the project must exist and the business must not have already made a location decision.
• Projected new job creation must be significant – past recipients have typically created more than 75 jobs in urban areas or more than 25 in rural areas.
• The new positions must be high-paying jobs – above the average wage of the county where the project would be located.
• Capital investment by the company must be significant.
• A significant rate of return on the public dollars being invested in the project must be demonstrated.
• The project must have community involvement from the city, county, and/or school district, primarily in the form of local economic incentive offers.
• The applicant must be a well-established, financially sound business.
• The applicant’s business sector must be an advanced industry that could potentially locate in another state or country.
• The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the House must unanimously agree to support the use of TEF for each specific project.

How to Apply

Each applicant undergoes a thorough 11-step due diligence process. Corporate activity, financial standing, tax status, legal issues, credit ratings, and estimated economic impacts, as well as the business climates of competition locations are assessed for each project and taken into consideration for all award decisions. Download application »

Workforce Development

Texas’ premier job-training program providing local customized training opportunities for Texas businesses and workers to increase skill levels and wages of the Texas workforce. The Texas Workforce Commission administers funding for the program. Success is achieved through collaboration among businesses, public community and technical colleges, Workforce Development Boards and economic development partners. For detailed grant information, forms and documents to submit a proposal, visit the Texas Workforce Commission’s Skills Development Fund page by clicking here.

Skills for Small Business

Finances the design and implementation of customized job training programs for newly hired employees of small businesses, successfully merging small business needs and local customized training opportunities into a winning formula for putting people to work in Texas. Administered by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), the Skills for Small Business program supports businesses with fewer than 100 employees, emphasizes training for new workers, and helps upgrade the skills of incumbent workers. Through this program, up to $2 million from the Skills Development Fund is dedicated to the backbone of Texas’ business community—our more than 433,000 small employers. Small businesses can apply here.

Self Sufficiency Fund

Provides community and technical colleges access to training dollars to support high-quality customized training projects statewide. College partners that participate in Self-Sufficiency Fund training strengthen their position as economic development leaders in their communities. Businesses gain a more highly trained workforce, workers upgrade their skills and the Texas economy grows more competitive. The Self-Sufficiency Fund supports training primarily for low-income individuals and those receiving public assistance achieve self-sufficiency and independence. For detailed program information, forms and documents to submit a proposal, visit the Texas Workforce Commission’s Self Sufficiency Fund page by clicking here.