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Entrepreneurs of Bexar County
Bexar County supports many aspects of owning a business as well as provides opportunities to do business with Bexar County. These resources will get you to where you need to go for your business in Bexar County.
Do you want to work with Bexar County offices and departments? Bexar County offers a variety of resources to assist entrepreneurs and small businesses in connecting with Bexar County.
Every business is different with different requirements necessary to ensure everything has been done properly, We're here to help get you on the right track to doing business in Bexar County.
Working with Bexar County
Once registered as a vendor to work with Bexar County offices and departments, businesses will have a variety of resources available through various departments and offices.
Departments to Work With
- Purchasing Department: procurement of goods and services for Bexar County departments and offices
- Public Works Department: capital improvements, construction, and professional services
- Small Business & Entrepreneurship Department: works with small businesses, minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, and more.
Systems to Use
- Contract & Diversity Management System (CDMS): directory of all certified SMWBE/DBE/HUB businesses in the Bexar County area
- CivCastUSA: current road/repair solicitations, construction opportunities, and public works and flood control opportunities
- Supplier Portal: current solicitations
Register as a Bexar County Vendor
Registering in the Bexar County supplier portal is key to doing business with Bexar County and will fulfill the requirement for payment upon receipt of goods and/or services.
By registering, you will automatically receive bid notifications based on the commodity codes your company selected and attached to the supplier record during the registration process. Please see the presentation for information on how to register in the Bexar County supplier portal.
Reminder: We require a signed copy of your W-9 for payments, the Diversity Codes for meeting certain requirements on work should they be requested, and the Commodity Codes for selecting which businesses to solicit for specific bids or events that we have available through the County. This information is kept confidential. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Doing business IN BEXAR COUNTY
Starting your own business can feel very complicated. The Bexar County Small Business & Entrepreneurship Department (SBED) is here to help in any way we can. If you have questions about where to go or what to do next, feel free to visit our office or call us at (210) 335-1937. You can also request an appointment with our staff to discuss your business needs in greater depth.
Write a Business Plan
Business plans work as a roadmap for how to structure, run, and grow your new business by helping you identify the key elements of your business.
Business plans are a tool to help your business get funding or bring on new business partners. It shows investors that you have put thought into your future goals and have a plan for how to achieve those goals.
There are two types of business plans: traditional and lean startup. Traditional business plans are comprehensive and detailed. They take time to write, but lenders/investors often ask for this type of plan. In contrast, the lean startup plan is high-level and only focuses on key elements. It can help start a conversation with lenders/investors.
For information on how to write a business plan and what type of information to include, visit the Small Business Administration’s page on business plans.
Setting Up Your Business
The decision regarding business structure is a decision that a person should make in consultation with an attorney and accountant, taking into consideration issues regarding tax, liability, management, continuity, transferability of ownership interests, and formality of operation. There are six different structures; to learn more, visit the Texas Secretary of State (TSOS) webpage "Selecting a Business Structure."
Structure Types
- Sole proprietorship
- General partnership
- Corporation
- Limited Liability Corporation
- Limited partnership
- Limited liability partnership
Nonprofit organizations must also identify their organization type (nonprofit corporation or unincorporated nonprofit association) in addition to determining if they are tax exempt. The TSOS page for nonprofit organizations provides details and resources for setting up a nonprofit organization.
One of the first steps to starting your business is naming it. Once you have the perfect name, you need to obtain your "Doing Business As" record, also known as a DBA or Assumed Name through the Bexar County Clerk’s Office.
- Determine a name for your business
- Verify the name is available to use via County Clerk records
- If your name is available, download the appropriate “Assumed Name Certificate”
- Complete and return to the County Clerk’s office in the Paul Elizondo Tower
Detailed instructions can be found on the “Obtain a DBA/Assumed Name” webpage.
Employer Identification Numbers
Employer Identification Numbers (EIN) are issued for the purpose of tax administration, while permits allow business to perform certain actions with permission from the relevant administrative agency.
To learn about EINs and how to apply for one, visit the IRS website. Through the Employer ID Numbers page you can learn about eligibility, how to submit an EIN application, and information about responsibilities.
Business Permits
Business permits can vary greatly on location and industry, and it is important that you identify which permits your business requires. Businesses in construction or contracting fields, many professional services, and businesses that sell food require permits or licenses.
Through the Small Business & Entrepreneurship website, business owners can find information on different types of permits managed by different administrative agencies.
If you are unsure if you will require a permit or license, contact Bexar County or the municipality you are working in for more information.
Texas imposes a 6.25% state sales and use tax on all retail sales, leases and rentals of most goods, and taxable services. Local taxing jurisdictions (cities, counties, special purpose districts and transit authorities) can also impose up to 2% sales and use tax for a maximum combined rate of 8.25%.
If your business sells or leases tangible personal property or taxable services, you will need to request a sales tax permit. The Texas Comptroller website provides information regarding they types of business that need a sales tax permit and managing their sales and use tax.
Neither a nonprofit corporation nor an unincorporated nonprofit association is automatically exempt from federal or state taxes. To become exempt, a nonprofit organization must meet certain requirements and apply with both the Internal Revenue Service and the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
Educational Programs
Expanding your knowledge about your field helps you to make the best decision and take advantage of resources and tools that you might not have been aware of otherwise. Through Bexar County departments and other organizations a variety of educational opportunities are available to help expand the knowledge of you and your employees. Visit the "Education & Training Programs" page for more.
A two year commitment where protégés, their mentors, Association of General Contractors (AGC), and the Program Manager work together to help develop the protégé firm's marketing, operations, and financial performance strategy.
The Bexar County Skills Development Fund allows for tailored training opportunities through grants to ensure your current and new employees are trained with the skills your industry requires.
Sheriff's Office Business Initiatives
Training and certifications offered by the Bexar County Sheriff's Office related to public safety.
The AGC/Bexar County "Basics" of Construction Training Program assists small business contractors in understanding the basic elements of running a commercial construction business.
The Bonding Education Program (BEP) is a free program tailored to small businesses competing for construction-related contracts in the transportation industry providing small and disadvantaged businesses the tools and resources required to compete for projects.
Turner School of Construction Management
The Virtual Turner School of Construction Management is a six-session educational program designed to assist small, minority, and women-owned construction businesses understand the elements of estimating, procurement, financial management, safety, business development, and reviewing RFPs.
Growing Your Business
SBED is committed to helping small businesses in Bexar County grow, build capacity, and succeed by assisting small business owners with certifying as a small, minority, or women-owned business; or register as a vendor with the county.
Workforce Solutions Alamo (WSA) offers customizable services to help businesses with recruitment and screening, information on tax incentive programs, labor market information, training, and more.
E-Verify is a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. The E-Verify Small Business video series demonstrates how E-Verify can help with employment management.
The Small, Minority, Women and Veteran Business Owners (SMWVBO) Conference is a forum to develop relationships, acquire knowledge, and access opportunities from public and private sector entities for the procurement. It is also a forum to enhance procurement staff’s knowledge of the availability and ability of local firms.
Chambers of commerce, trade associations, and economic/community development organizations provide a way for business owners to come together with the goal of helping businesses and business industries grow.
Find Certification Information
Certifying your business is an important step for businesses looking to contract or sell to government entities. Bexar County accepts certifications granted by regional and governmental agencies.
Industrial Development Corporation
The Bexar County Industrial Development Corporation's primary activity is to issue tax-exempt Industrial Development Bonds to finance projects for manufacturing facilities to help create or retain jobs, or expand the property tax base.
“Business finance” is used to describe activities, decisions, and techniques that deal with many aspects of a company's finances and capital. These resources can help with finding assistance for a variety of issues.
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Small Business & Entrepreneurship Department
Physical Address
203 W Nueva
San Antonio, TX 78207
Phone: 210-335-2478
Connect with SBED
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Purchasing Department
Physical Address
1103 S. Frio, Purchasing Suite
San Antonio, TX 78207
Phone: 210-335-2211
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Other Business Resources
- Assumed Business Names/DBA (County Clerk)
- Beer/Wine Permits & Liquor Licenses (Tax Office)
- Civil Cases (Justices of the Peace)
- Dispute Mediation (Dispute Resolution Center)
- Preparedness & Recovery (Emergency Management)
- Theft by Check Assistance (District Attorney)
- Tax Payments (Tax Office)
- City of San Antonio Business Website