Published: October 28, 2009 07:43 pm      

Small business empowered at Port Arthur summit

PORT ARTHUR — Proving that small business is the backbone of America, about 350 people showed up in Port Arthur Wednesday to learn how to be successful during a time of unprecedented industrial expansion.

The business owners, or those who want to start their own companies, came from all over Southeast Texas to attend the first Port Arthur Small Business Summit.

“The greatest thing in America is that everybody has the opportunity to start their own business,” Carl Thibodeaux, Orange County county judge, said.

Thibodeaux was among the local dignitaries and state agency representatives who spoke at the day-long summit.

Port Arthur Mayor Deloris “Bobbie” Prince said it was important that small businesses in the area have an opportunity to connect with local industry under going expansion projects.

Wednesday’s summit was designed to provide small business owners with the information they need to build a successful enterprise while offering networking opportunities. They learned how to become a vendor to the local refinery or construction industries, and ways to receive business financing.

“We hope to be able to engage, educate, equip and empower our small business owners,” Melvin White, Summit facilitator, said.

When local industry first announced plans for large-scale expansions, White developed Digital Workforce Academy, Inc., a job skills training company that caters to people who not employable.

Keynote speaker Andres Alcantar, commissioner of the Texas Workforce Commission, recalled the days when he worked at his famly’s homebuilding business, and what it took for his father to be successful.

“Owning your own business means getting up at 5 a.m. to start the day and not coming home until after dark,” he said. “I honor you because I’ve worked for a man that did what you did for so long — putting it all at risk.”

Alcantar said Texas was a great place to do business.

“Texas is the number one exporter state. We have weathered the global challenge to the economy,” he said.

Small business employs more than half the people in the state and accounts for 95 percent of the firms in Texas, he said.

People currently in business, just starting, or contemplating the idea should remember those entrepreneurs who went before them, Robert Melvin, director of the Office of the Governor Economic Development and Tourism, Small Business Development, said.

“Microsoft started in a garage. While others thought increasing speed meant increasing the number of horses on a stage coach, Henry Ford had a better idea. Zachary Construction started with two individuals, a mule and some concrete.

“The true economic driver behind the state’s economy is not big business, it is individuals such as yourself,” Melvin said.