Partners

The Brazos Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is a trusted resource for entrepreneurs and small business owners across the region. As part of the Texas SBDC Network, the center provides no-cost, one-on-one advising and affordable training programs designed to help businesses start, grow, and succeed. 

• Services for Entrepreneurs & Businesses: 

• Business Advising – guidance on business planning, financial analysis, marketing, and operations. 

• Access to Capital – assistance with loan packaging, funding strategies, and connections to financial institutions. 

• Market Research & Strategy – customized data and insights to help businesses compete and expand. 

• Specialized Programs – support for technology commercialization, government contracting, and international trade. 

Established in 1966, the Brazos Valley Council of Governments has grown into a regional organization serving more than 315,000 residents across 5,109 square miles and seven counties. BVCOG plays a key role in identifying regional needs, developing effective responses, implementing collaborative solutions, and eliminating duplication of services. BVCOG provides a broad range of services and data to support local communities, including: 

• Economic Development & Planning: rural transportation planning, economic development strategy, small business funding, and community development support.
  
  
• Technical Assistance: grant writing, demographic interpretation, and GIS/mapping services.

Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley is the region’s primary resource for workforce development, connecting people with opportunities and helping businesses access the talent they need to thrive. Serving employers, job seekers, and community partners across the seven-county Brazos Valley region, Workforce Solutions delivers programs that strengthen both the economy and the quality of life in our communities. 

Supporting Job Seekers: 

• Workforce Solutions provides individuals with the tools and guidance needed to achieve meaningful employment.  

• Services include: 

• Career counseling and job placement assistance. 

• Skills training and certifications tailored to in-demand industries. 

• Specialized programs for youth, veterans, and individuals facing barriers to employment. 

Serving Employers: 

• Employers across the Brazos Valley benefit from customized solutions that help them recruit, train, and retain a strong workforce.  

• Workforce Solutions offers: 

• Targeted job matching and recruitment services. 

• Training programs to upskill employees and close skills gaps. 

• Business resources that support compliance and workplace success. 

The Greater Brazos Partnership (GBP) is a public-private economic development initiative serving a five-county area in the Brazos region, including Bryan, College Station, and the surrounding counties of Burleson, Grimes, Robertson, and Washington.  

Here are the core ways GBP drives regional growth and economic opportunity: 

• Business Attraction & Investment Promotion 
  GBP works to attract new businesses and investment into the region. They promote the Brazos Valley’s strategic advantages like location, cost of doing business, workforce, and infrastructure to site selectors, industries, and global firms.  

• Workforce Pipeline & Talent Development 
  A big focus of GBP is building a future-ready workforce. They leverage the capacity of Texas A&M University and System, workforce development programs through Blinn College and Workforce Solutions, and other key education partners to ensure that businesses have access to skilled, innovative and educated talent.  

• Innovation & Industry Clusters 
  The GBP helps nurture industry sectors with high growth potential including aerospace & defense, life sciences, semiconductors, and energy. They support development through initiatives such as the RELLIS Campus and other innovation-oriented infrastructure.  

• Quality of Life & Regional Infrastructure 
  Supporting everything beyond just business, GBP works to maintain and enhance the region's livability, amenities, and infrastructure so it's attractive both for people and companies. This includes infrastructure, real estate development, incentives, and policy support.  

• Public/Private Strategic Partnership via Invest Greater Brazos 
  GBP includes a private investment opportunity called Invest Greater Brazos, which acts as the voice for business leaders in the region. It brings together public and private stakeholders to help set priorities, advise strategy (especially in areas like workforce, real estate, infrastructure, policy, quality of life), and ensure that community and business interests are aligned. 

1 Million Cups (1MC) is a free, weekly national program designed to educate, engage, and connect local entrepreneurs. Hosted at Visit College Station, 1207 Texas Ave., College Station, the program provides a welcoming space where small business owners and entrepreneurs share their business stories and challenges while gaining feedback and support from peers, mentors, and community leaders. Every Wednesday morning at 8:30am, small business owners tell their story in a casual supportive environment followed by open conversation, networking, and resource sharing. Whether you are launching your first business, growing an established business, or simply curious about the entrepreneurial community, 1 Million Cups offers valuable connections and inspiration. 

The Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce serves as a vital connector for businesses, community leaders, and residents throughout the region. With a mission to promote a thriving business climate and enhance quality of life, the Chamber plays an important role in economic development and community support. 

• The Chamber supports economic growth by: 

• Advocating for policies that strengthen the local business environment. 

• Offering networking opportunities that connect entrepreneurs, professionals, employers, and investors. 

• Providing resources and programs that help businesses of all sizes grow and succeed. 

As one of the nation’s premier research institutions, Texas A&M University, and the broader Texas A&M University System, play a vital role in advancing economic development in College Station and across the Brazos Valley. Together, they leverage world-class faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and a culture of innovation which drives discoveries that fuel new industries, technologies, and solutions. Research & Innovation support such as: 

• Cutting-Edge Research – Texas A&M conducts more than $1 billion annually in research, tackling global challenges in engineering, agriculture, health sciences, energy, and beyond. 

• Commercialization & Startups – Through Texas A&M Innovation, the McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship, and the Texas A&M Innovation Center, discoveries are translated into new ventures, technologies, and industry partnerships. 

• Entrepreneurial Training – Programs like NSF I-Corps and Advancing Discovery to Market grants help researchers and students validate ideas, build business models, and bring innovations closer to market.  

• Talent Development – With more than 77,000 students, Texas A&M provides a highly skilled workforce, offering employers access to top talent across a wide range of disciplines. 

• Specialized Infrastructure & Programs 

• RELLIS Campus – A dedicated innovation and technology hub bringing together universities, research agencies, and industry to advance applied research and workforce solutions. 

• Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) – A statewide leader in engineering research with strong industry partnerships. 

• Hagler Institute for Advanced Study – Attracting top global scholars to collaborate on frontier research and innovation. 

Regionally, Blinn College operates a Science, Technology, Engineering & Innovation (STEI) Building at its Brenham Campus that gives students and staff access to tools and labs for hands‐on work: things like 3D printing, robotics, vinyl/laser cutters, drones, soldering stations, prototype workspaces, etc. 

Plug and Play, one of the world’s largest innovation platforms, has launched a presence in College Station to accelerate the growth of startups and connect them with leading corporations, investors, and resources. With its global network and proven model, Plug and Play helps promising companies scale quickly while giving industry partners direct access to cutting-edge technologies and entrepreneurial talent. 

• Acceleration Programs – mentorship, workshops, and networking to help startups refine their business models and prepare for investment. 

• Access to Capital – connections to Plug and Play’s global venture network and investor ecosystem.
  
  
• Market Entry & Growth – opportunities for startups to pilot technologies and build partnerships with major corporations. 

The Cannon is a leading entrepreneurial hub designed to support startups, small businesses, and innovators through collaborative workspace, community, and resources. With its presence in College Station, The Cannon currently connects local entrepreneurs to an on-line network of mentors, investors, and industry partners while providing a thought space where ideas can grow into thriving businesses.