Top Ten Most Frequently Asked Questions of the SMWBE Office

1. How do I register my business name or get a DBA?

Visit the Bexar County Clerk's office at the Bexar County Courthouse to register the business name. 1^st floor 100 Dolorosa St., Suite 106 (210) 335-2216 (Notary public onsite) or http://www.countyclerk.bexar.landata.com

Copies of misplaced certificates can be obtained at the Bexar County Courthouse basement door #15. 

2. Where do I get an Employer Identification Number?

A.     Contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at www.IRS.gov

OR

IRS San Antonio

8626 Tesoro Drive, San Antonio, TX 78217  

(210) 841-2090

3.   Where do I get a State of Texas sales tax permit?

Texas State Comptroller offices are located in San Antonio or contacted at www.window.state.tx.us

4.   Where can I get information on permits needed for my business?

A.  The Development Services Department at 1901 S. Alamo St. is a one stop shop for required permits, licenses, zoning, and certificates to operate a business in San Antonio. 

B.   Businesses located in Bexar County need to contact Infrastructure Services at (210) 335-6700 or visit 233 N. Pecos, Suite 420, San Antonio, Texas 78205 

C.      Businesses located in surrounding Bexar County cities listed below need to contact the city offices for the following entities to obtain required permits:

(Note: for further details on home based businesses please make sure to contact your local entity).  

5. Where can I get training or counseling on starting a business and or writing a business plan?

UTSA Small Business Development Center offers training and counseling on international trade and government contracting as well as a variety of other subjects. They can be contacted at www.iedtexas.org/sasbdc  or

(210) 458-2460

SCORE Counselors to America's Small Business Volunteers provide professional guidance and information to maximize the success of America's existing and emerging small businesses. Additional contact information can be found at www.sanantonioscore.org or (210) 403-5931

6. Are there any grants to start a business?

No- but the SBA offers Small Business Loans through various financial institutions in and around Bexar County.

For local micro-lending institutions or start up loans please contact:

ACCION Texas at www.acciontexas.org or (210) 226-3664

South Texas Business Fund at www.sotexbizfund.com or (210) 207-3932

Small Business Administration at www.sba.gov/sanantonio or (210) 403-5931

7. How do I certify my business as SBE, MBE, WBE, AABE, VBE, DIBE?

The South Central Regional Certification Agency (SCTRCA) application is available at the SMWBE office or online at www.sctrca.org  or (210) 227-4722, your business can be certified as a Small, Minority, Women, African American, Disabled, and/or Veteran owned Business

Public entities that use SCTRCA vendor list are:

Other S/M/W/DBE & HUB Certifications:

8. How do I become a Bexar County Vendor?

Visit the Bexar County website at www.bexar.org/purchasing and complete the bidder's application or contact the Purchasing Department at (210) 335-2211.   

9. Do I have to be certified as SBE, MBE, WBE, AABE, VBE, DIBE to do business with Bexar County?

NO- but make sure that you register on-line to do business with Bexar County E- Purchasing to receive solicitations to compete for Bexar County Contracts.

10. How do I register to attend the Small, Minority, Women, and Veteran Owned Business Conference on December 10, 2008 at the Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum?   

Go on-line to www.bexar.org/smwbe and register to attend the FREE conference. The Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum is located at 3201 E. Houston, San Antonio Texas, 78219. FREE parking for this event will be provided.

For more information please contact the SMWBE office at (210) 335-0671 or  www.bexar.org/smwbe