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UTB-CBIRD Report: “At The Crossroads” Education & Training 71
⇒ Advanced Technology & Small binational Business Incubator
⇒ Workforce Training and Continuing Education facilities
⇒ Small Business Development Center
⇒ Associate/Bachelor/Masters Degree Program Space
⇒ International Trade Center
⇒ Trade Show Venue
⇒ Child Care Development Center
⇒ Economic Development Agencies
In 2002, the Greater Brownsville Incentive Program (GBIC) awarded UTB/TSC
$5.5 million to renovate the facility. To this major community contribution is
added a one million dollar grant from the U.S. Economic Development (EDA)
Administration for the physical development of the binational small business
incubator as well as a $600,000 HUD grant for the incubator’s operation. The
University’s plans for the facility also include revenue generating functions and
business development activities such as:
⇒ Partnering with the Brownsville Economic Development Council (BEDC)
to recruit a national technology tenant company
⇒ Nurturing start-up companies
⇒ Establishing a Small Business Association Export Assistance Center
⇒ Recruitment of advocacy offices for the State of Tamaulipas, Nuevo
Leon, and the Mexican Consulate
⇒ Recruitment of national and international wholesale/distributors and
other businesses
As of fall 2002, the ITEC had begun to meet a major community need in terms of
training and retraining the regional workforce. On August 1, 2002, Levi’s
Brownsville Plant was closed resulting in the displacement of 600 Brownsville
employees. Over 500 of these unemployed workers are enrolled in UTB/TSC
training programs ranging from computer specialist and electronics technicians
to certified nurses and medical assistants. A previous UTB/TSC training
program, The “Haggar Project,” graduated 306 students with 46 degrees and
365 certificates with close to 100% job placement.
UTB/TSC’s Binational Business Incubator (Figure 4.22) will be a positive catalyst
for education, training, and research on small business development to
⇒ Accelerate the growth of start-up companies and job creation
⇒ Increase the region’s industrial competitiveness
⇒ Facilitate the development of international networks, especially with
Mexico and Latin America
⇒ Be a world-class “experiential living laboratory” for curriculum
development in binational entrepreneurship and business development
One Region -- One Future
The entire Technology
Campus will be a work
experience facility.
The business
incubator will be a
“experiential learning
laboratory” for
launching and growing
binational companies.
For example,
UTB/TSC’s technical
programs will provide
student interns for
building maintenance,
and the culinary arts
program will staff the
center’s restaurant
facilities. We will have
health care, a beauty
shop, and recreational
facilities all staffed by
UTB/TSC student
interns who will
benefit from on-thejob
training.
James R. Holt, Dean
Workforce Training and
Continuing Education
UTB/TSC
Interview, June 26, 2002