EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — A new initiative is set to help entrepreneurs and small businesses along El Paso County’s historic Mission Trail corridor grow and tap into the area’s tourism economy.
On Thursday, El Paso Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, El Paso County Economic Development, Revby, a company that helps small businesses, and the advertising agency EFO Media announced that a new SBA-funded initiative will provide marketing assistance, business development workshops, and one-on-one support for business leaders in the Mission Trail area.
Organizers said the goal is to help businesses benefit from the region’s growing tourism interest.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, and investing in them means investing in the families and communities that make El Paso County unique,” Escobar said. “I was proud to secure this federal funding to support the businesses along the historic Mission Trail, ensuring they have access to the technical assistance, marketing resources, and tools they need to grow, preserve our rich cultural heritage, and create new economic opportunities. This investment reflects our commitment to strengthening local entrepreneurship while celebrating one of our region’s most treasured historic corridors.”
El Paso Congresswoman Veronica Escobar during the announcement of a new initiative set to help small businesses grow in El Paso’s Mission Trail. Credit: KFOX14/CBS4
El Paso County Commissioner Iliana Holguin said the funding is intended to support both business growth and the preservation of the region’s identity.
“Through this SBA investment, we are helping local businesses grow, strengthening our economy, and ensuring that the stories, traditions, and destinations that define our region continue to flourish for future generations,” Holguin said.
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Over the coming months, organizers said Revby and EFO Media will host workshops focused on business development, financial readiness, marketing strategy, Google Business Profile optimization, and practical photography and video techniques.
“Revby is honored to partner with El Paso County on an initiative that closely aligns with our commitment to strengthening local businesses and the communities they help define,” said Michael Aparicio, founder and CEO of Revby LLC. “By investing in the operational and financial capacity of businesses along the Mission Trail, this program recognizes their essential role in sustaining the corridor’s distinctive culture and advancing its long-term economic vitality.”
EFO Media Founder and CEO Ellen F. Ordaz said the program is designed to give business owners practical help they can use immediately.
“Every small business has a story worth telling, but many owners don’t always have the time or resources to focus on marketing while running their business. That’s what makes this partnership so meaningful,” Ordaz said. “We’re grateful to work alongside the County to give local entrepreneurs practical guidance they can put into action right away and continue building on long after the program ends.”
El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego said the county is pairing direct assistance with longer-term economic development tools, including its recently adopted Chapter 381 Incentive Policy.
El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego during the announcement of a new initiative set to help small businesses grow in El Paso’s Mission Trail. Credit: KFOX14/CBS4
“By combining direct business assistance with long-term economic development incentives, we are building a stronger foundation for sustained investment, job creation, heritage tourism, and economic prosperity throughout the Mission Trail and all of El Paso County,” Samaniego said.
County officials said that after the federal assistance is completed, El Paso County plans to continue supporting businesses through its Comprehensive Economic Development Incentives Policy, which includes a framework for grants, tax rebates, workforce development incentives and other investment programs.
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