Victoria Chamber of Commerce, SBDC Move to New Location at UHV
Both entities already work closely with the university and expect those collaborations to strengthen as a result of the relocation. UHV business students, however, will particularly benefit from the increased internships and opportunities to contribute to Chamber and SBDC projects that will be made possible by the greater proximity.
“An important part of UHV’s mission is to collaborate with community entities in promoting the education and economic development of the region. We’re pleased to welcome the Chamber and SBDC to campus as part of that commitment. Their presence will compliment many of our programs, including our recent offerings in economic development and entrepreneurship,” said UHV President Tim Hudson.
The 10,000-square-foot Totah Building is located across the street from the University Center. The relocation is actually temporary, part of a larger plan to construct a 40,000-square-foot regional economic development center on UHV’s campus.
The new center, expected to be completed in 2008, will also house the Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission, as well as other local entities. Funding for the facility will be covered in part by tuition revenue bonds approved in June for UHV by the Texas Legislature and Gov. Rick Perry.
The Chamber of Commerce has been at its present location since 1987 but has outgrown the space. The Totah Building will house a boardroom for Chamber meetings and allow each Chamber employee to have his or her own office.
Phyllis Hunt, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce said of the move, “We are looking forward to having more space, more parking, a better layout and being in closer proximity to the university. This move will increase opportunities for UHV students to learn from business leaders at work in the community and, correspondingly, allow business leaders to learn from the bright new talent being groomed at the university.”
The benefits to SBDC will include savings in facility rental costs and increased ability to schedule training events. Because SBDC and the Chamber already work closely together, continuing to share space in the Totah Building will be an ideal arrangement.
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 80 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.
