San Luis reports small‑business training program led graduates to $91,000 in planned investment

Armando Esparza, San Luis director of economic development and government affairs, briefed the council on results from the city’s Fuerza Local cohort, a small‑business training program funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant.

Esparza summarized a follow‑up survey of cohort 1 graduates: “These 11 businesses that graduated, were invested about $91,000 into their businesses,” he said, adding that the cohort also planned to spend Fuerza Local grants totaling $11,000 and reported a combined 34 employees with plans to hire eight additional workers. Esparza said five businesses reported direct revenue increases of about $15,000 during the reporting period and one business secured a loan to expand equipment and product offerings.

Program organizers surveyed participants on five skill areas—taxes and accounting, human resources, access to capital, marketing and social media, customer service and business planning—and reported that participants’ self‑rated proficiency rose after the training. Esparza said cohort selection included both established businesses and entrepreneurs: six established businesses, four startups formed during the program and one long‑time sole proprietor who formalized operations.

Esparza told council the city received a two‑cohort USDA grant and that cohort 2 will start August 5 with 12 selected participants and roughly $30,000 remaining from the grant. Council members, including Mayor Nieves Radeau, praised the program and encouraged residents to support the graduates’ businesses. No formal council action was requested.