WHAT WE DO

Strategic Direction
Texans for Rural Entrepreneurship and Education (TREE) partners have developed a 2007 strategic plan that targets South Texas as the first region for entrepreneurship development. South Texas is a region of persistent poverty with little to no resources for entrepreneurs to develop and thrive.  As our service delivery models are developed, the goal is to replicate the entrepreneurship initiative to other under-served rural regions of Texas.

Vision
Job and wealth creation for rural Texans through sustainable entrepreneurship.
Mission
Inspire Texans of all ages to consider entrepreneurship as a career choice through education, networking, mentors, counseling and resource development.

History
Whether resources exist or not, the TREE non-profit organizations, committed to entrepreneurship and job creation, can come together in a leadership capacity to nurture and mentor entrepreneurs and grow businesses in underserved rural markets.  The founding TREE collaborative partners are

• Association of Rural Communities in Texas
• BCL Of Texas
• Center for Economic Opportunities
• Dimmit Enterprises
• I-10 Corridor Association
• Maverick County Economic Development Corporation
• Middle Rio Grande Council of Government
• Texas Leadership Institute
• South West Texas Junior college
• University of Texas Center for Economic Development

These 10 non-profit multi county business and community development organizations are collaborating to stimulate entrepreneurship in a 45 county South Texas region.  Together the partners bring over 105 years of experience serving rural markets to the collaborative.

Our Work

eLearning -  is a program for entrepreneurial learning, mentoring and networking that uses the First Step FastTrac© curriculum developed by the First Step Fund with support from the Kauffman Foundation. 

The curriculum developed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs is offered in English & Spanish.  TREE professionals are trained in First Step FastTrac and we are offering the Entrepreneurship FirstStep FastTrac program through South West Texas Junior Collage.

eWeek – as a national partner in Entrepreneurship Week USA in 2007, TREE hosted two events in Austin and Carrizo Springs for area entrepreneurs.  TREE will participate in Global eWeek during November 2008.

eSummit – TREE assisted in the delivery of a very successful rural entrepreneurship forum hosted by the    I-10 Association at Texas Lutheran University. TREE continues to participate and sponsor additional eSummits held through out the South Texas region.
eCenters – with regional entrepreneurship centers in Austin, Carrizo Springs, Cuero, Maverick County and San Juan, Texas …TREE partners provide FREE entrepreneurship counseling, computer and internet access, resources, business plan assistance, mentoring and networking opportunities through the TREE sponsored South Texas Business Network.

eLeaders – planting the idea of entrepreneurship as a career choice to youth in elementary and high school is critical to entrepreneurship development.
eFoundation – this initiative will encourage successful Texas enterprises to Give Time, Talent & Equity a way of “giving back” to regions of Texas that strive to development future entrepreneurs.