Small Business Resources

A starting place for veteran-owned and all other small businesses across Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Colorado. These guides and preparation tools are free to browse.

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE. REAL PEOPLE.

Find the right help

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Choose your next step and your area. These independent organizations can help you move forward; provider fees and service areas vary.

I need help to…My area

5 starting points for your selection

Texas — Governor’s Small Business Resource Portal

Find business resources and contacts across Texas, matched to your business stage and location.

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Business One-Stop Shop (BOSS)

El Paso starting point for local business programs, referrals and funding resources.

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EPCC Small Business Development Center

No-cost business advising. Ask about business plans, cash flow and preparing for financing.

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Pioneers 21

Explore business incubation and its free, confidential Venture Mentoring Service. Other programs may have fees or eligibility requirements.

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SBA · Find assistance by ZIP code

Find the appropriate office or resource partner for your location, including communities outside the immediate El Paso area.

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Not sure what to ask? Prepare your first conversation

Take your service description, general service area, question and any public opportunity link. Replace the brackets before contacting an adviser.

Hello, I run a small business in [city/county]. I would like help to start or grow my business. My business provides [services]. My main question is [question]. Is your organization the right place to start, and what should I bring to an appointment?

Nothing is sent by this page. Contact the provider directly.

Training & mentoring

Learn at your pace

Find free sessions and practical advice. Some workshops charge a fee; check the provider’s current schedule, cost and registration details.

EPCC APEX

Local procurement workshops

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SBA

Find online and local events

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SCORE

Find a business mentor

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SCORE · Templates

Business plans, cash flow and financial worksheets

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PLAN AHEAD

Upcoming procurement forecasts

See what federal agencies expect to buy so you can prepare, research buyers and ask about requirements earlier. A forecast is a planning estimate, not an open solicitation or a promise of work.

Open official agency forecasts ↗

External directory · Forecasts are not imported into your current results.

Plain-language bid terms / Términos de contratación

RFP · Request for Proposal: A request for a proposal explaining how you will meet the buyer’s needs. Read how proposals will be evaluated.
RFQ · Request for Quotation: A request for a price quote. Follow the exact scope, pricing format and response instructions.
NAICS: An industry classification code. A code match suggests relevant work; it does not establish eligibility.
Set-aside / Reserva: An opportunity limited to businesses meeting specified requirements. Confirm the applicable size and certification rules.
Amendment / Enmienda: A change to a notice or its documents. Check the official source before responding and acknowledge changes when required.

Plain-language explanations, not official translations. The issuing agency’s original documents control.

Federal purchasing reference ↗

Starting fresh? What to expect

Define your service, customer and realistic price; build a cash-flow plan before taking on work.
Compare legal structures with an adviser and complete required registrations. An LLC does not replace licenses or permits.
Check taxes, bookkeeping, insurance, staffing, safety and bonding relevant to your work.
Prepare a public capability statement and register with relevant buyers. Vendor registration and business formation are separate steps.
Read scope, amendments, payment terms and delivery instructions before promising a price.

Resources for every small business

StateI need help with…

Arizona SBDC — find your county adviser

Choose your county to find one-to-one advising and training. Bring your business idea, service area and questions about pricing or cash flow.

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Arizona STEP — export assistance

Explore help with export planning, trade events and market entry. Ask the program about eligibility, available assistance and approval before committing to expenses.

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Arizona State Procurement Office

Find supplier registration and the Arizona Procurement Portal. Review each buyer's response process and amendments; registering is separate from winning a contract.

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Arizona Department of Revenue — small business guidance

Read the official small-business income-tax guidance and discuss the applicable filing rules with a qualified tax adviser.

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Arizona Commerce Authority — rural communities

Explore rural business-development connections and community resources beyond the major cities.

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Governor's Small Business Resource Portal

Get a customized starting list of state resources and contacts for your business stage and location.

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Texas — public procurement resources

Find state purchasing and supplier resources, then check the current requirements for the buyer and any certification program you choose.

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Texas Department of Insurance — bond resources

Learn where to find bonding education and assistance before accepting a project that requires a bid, performance or payment bond.

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Texas — trade and export support

Explore export education, trade events and assistance. Confirm current participation rules and costs with the organizer.

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Texas Skills for Small Business

Check whether employee training through a public community or technical college fits your business. Confirm approval before enrolling or spending.

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New Mexico — business navigator

Follow the state's steps for business registration, licenses, tax accounts and employer responsibilities. Use your actual activity and location.

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New Mexico Taxation & Revenue — businesses

Find registration, filing, payment and tax-credit guidance. Business tax registration and a federal EIN are separate processes.

Open resource ↗

County buyer and local-office gateways

County purchasing gateways represented in our directory. Ask about vendor registration and local business assistance; use the statewide directories above for other counties, permits or tax offices. A portal does not guarantee an available startup grant.

More business organizations & procurement help

Resource focus

This filters organizations, not your identity. Each provider sets membership and certification requirements.

El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Hispanic and Latino business support, including Mexican American businesses. Its public procurement roundup includes past deadlines; verify each lead with the original buyer. No automatic import.

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U.S. Black Chambers — ByBlack

Certification and business connections for qualifying Black-owned companies. Review ownership and control rules directly with ByBlack; its certification does not establish federal set-aside eligibility.

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National Minority Supplier Development Council

Opportunity Awareness connects certified minority business enterprises with corporate procurement opportunities. Access and certification requirements apply; these may be private-sector contracts.

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U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce

Pan Asian American business procurement connections, education and supplier programs. Check participation requirements and event dates on the provider's site.

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National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development — APEX

Government-contracting assistance for eligible Native-owned businesses and tribes. Its APEX program has ownership, tribal and service-region requirements; confirm eligibility with the program.

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Women's Business Enterprise National Council

Women-owned business certification and procurement connections. Ownership/control review and application fees apply. Each buyer decides which certifications it accepts.

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El Paso Contract Opportunities Center — APEX Accelerator

Local government-contracting workshops and guidance for small businesses. Use its official center resources for bid readiness and buyer connections.

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New Mexico VBOC

New Mexico's veteran business center offers counseling, workshops, mentoring and referrals. Its resource page includes Boots to Business, APEX, SBDC and procurement training.

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Texas Veterans Commission — entrepreneur assistance

Find the Veterans Entrepreneur Program for business tools, training and consulting. Ask the program which services apply to your stage and location.

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SBA VetCert — VOSB / SDVOSB

Use SBA's current certification portal and preparation checklists. Certified SDVOSBs can pursue qualifying federal reserved contracts; certified VOSBs have additional VA opportunities. Military service alone does not certify a business.

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VA — Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization

Explore doing business with VA, outreach and small-business contracting support. Follow the official solicitation for eligibility, procurement contacts and submission instructions.

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State resource additions reviewed September 18, 2026. General preparation guidance; obtain qualified legal or tax advice for your situation. Providers set eligibility, fees and availability. Links do not promise grants, contracts or legal compliance.