In a community rich with cultural heritage and entrepreneurial spirit, small businesses circulate local dollars, create jobs, and reinforce the diverse fabric of El Paso’s economy. Small businesses make up 84% of businesses in El Paso and employ two out of five people.

Created in response to the economic hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Small Business Assistance division, under the City of El Paso’s Economic & International Development Department, launched BOSS to assist small business owners and entrepreneurs with financial support, regulatory guidance, and navigating resources.

Every donation to BOSS enables us to stay boots on the ground; visiting local business owners where they are, understanding their real-world challenges, and delivering tailored assistance to help them succeed.

By supporting BOSS today, you invest in lasting economic vitality and supporting entrepreneurs who often face barriers to accessing capital, mentorship, and tailored business support. Together we can build a stronger, more resilient business community in El Paso.

Impact:

• Assisted 950+ businesses and entrepreneurs connecting them to over 30 nonprofits free of cost since November of 2024.

• Hosted the first ever BOSS Small Business Fair in May and the Small Business Resource Fair at the Shoppes of Solana in July dedicated to highlighting the resources available to support businesses.

• Developed the Buy El Paso Rewards Program, a program that rewards customers with 5% cash back when they support locally owned businesses. The program has resulted in nearly $1.4 million in sales revenue to over 3,000 small business owners.

Through the BOSS network, we have been able to distribute funds to our Entrepreneural Support Organizations (ESOs) to provide the following:

• Funded the 2% Interest Buy-Down Loan Program to LiftFund, Peoplefund, and Borderplex Community Capital to provide fixed interest-rate loans up to $100,000. The 2% loans enable businesses to invest in growth opportunities like expanding operations, hiring additional staff, or purchasing new equipment.

• Awarded 1,836 grants to small businesses to support COVID-19 recovery efforts.

• Assisted in retaining over 1,400 jobs in our community.

• Provided 265 business websites at no cost to the business owner to expand their market reach and provide additional customer and revenue streams.

• Provided funding for over 1,000 businesses to receive financial literacy training