Mission Economic Empowerment Project- Mission, TX

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Mission Economic Empowerment Project

Rationale:
Small business is one of the driving forces behind job creation and economic growth in our state and nation. The biggest problem with small business is that many people start their company lacking proper planning and also sufficient initial investment for their idea. The Mission Economic Development Corporation offers several programs to help entrepreneurs overcome these initial obstacles.

Goal:
Increase community support for local small businesses and young women interested in STEAM fields.

Project Summary:
The Mission Economic Development Corporation is an entity that has been recognized and also duplicated around the state and nation for the innovative and inclusive programs that they offer. Mission EDC has created many different economic ventures: The Ruby Red Venture Program, Mission coding project, and the STEM for women project.

Ruby Red Venture Program
Small business is one of the driving forces behind job creation and economic growth in the state of Texas and the nation. This country thrives because there are limitless opportunities for people with a dream and a vision to start a new business that will create jobs. The biggest problem with small business is that many people start their company lacking proper planning and also sufficient initial investment for their idea. The Mission EDC decided to create the Ruby Red Venture competitive grant program. This program that runs twice a year invites local citizens to submit their business idea and the winners receive a grant from the EDC to start their business. The applicants are also required to go through a series of trainings on creating proper business plans, what is needed to run a business, and also to learn about state and federal laws and regulations of owning a business.

Code the Town
Code the Town is a small business fund that aims to teach computer programming to potential business startups. The goal is that participants will apply this knowledge toward the formation of technology-based businesses in the City of Mission. Many people within Mission took part in the venture and prepared themselves with skills that are marketable to the technology industry. Many of the participants that went through the program are now successful in their local business, due to the skills learned and applied.

Career Readiness and Empowerment of Women (CREW)
(CREW) is a multidisciplinary, year-long internship program for young women. CREW provides interns with the technical skills needed to succeed in the Entrepreneurship and STEAM fields through four core areas: Career Lab, Mentorship, Social Innovation, and Coding. Not only did the interns go through intensive career readiness training, but they also created professional networks with successful women across the globe. During their second semester, CREW interns focused on developing solutions to problems affecting their community by embarking in social innovation projects.

Outcomes:

• The Ruby Red Venture program has funded multiple projects to help the community.
• Participants who took part in Code the Town prepared themselves with skills that are marketable to the technology industry.
• The 2017-2018 CREW cohort consisted of 15 exceptional students from Mission Collegiate High School and Mission High Eagle T-STEM Academy who have demonstrated an outstanding academic performance, commitment to the improvement of their community, and a keen interest in pursuing a career in the entrepreneurship and STEAM fields.

Additional Resources:
Mission, TX– 2019 AAC Winner: Presentation

Local Contact:
Daniel Silva, CEO
Mission EDC
(956) 585-0040
dsilva@missionedc.com