Business Resources

We are excited to present Industry-Specific Small Business Cohorts. These FREE cohorts will connect Arlington-based small businesses to subject matter experts through programming that directly addresses the challenges and opportunities in their sector. The Industry-Specific Small Business Cohort will focus on scaling, sustainability and strategy refinement— not just startup basics. Current cohort industries include Professional Services (September 2025), Construction & Trades (October 2025), and Food & Beverage (March 2026).

Registrations are currently closed. Check back for updated info on the Food & Beverage and Ideation cohorts. Join our newsletter list for the latest news from the EDC!

How to Sign Up:

• Submit Your Application: Registrations are currently closed.

  • Applications for the Professional Services cohort are closed.

• Application Review: Applications will be reviewed based on eligibility criteria.

• Confirmation: Accepted businesses will receive a confirmation email with further instructions.

Why Participate?

• Expert Guidance: Learn from seasoned professionals and successful entrepreneurs.

• Industry Insights: Understand market trends and tailor your business strategies for success.

• Networking: Connect with like-minded professionals and potential clients.

• Tools for Growth: Receive the tools and knowledge to grow your business and reach your goals.

• Exposure: Participants will be featured on program marketing materials, giving your business increased visibility and exposure.

Who Should Participate?

• Small businesses (1-50 employees) in Professional Services, Construction & Trades, or Food & Beverage.

• Businesses looking to scale, improve operations or grow their customer base.

Cost: FREE

The Arlington Business Certification (ABC) program helps local small business-owners obtain industry-recognized certifications to enhance operations, drive growth and support long-term success. Participating small businesses will be better positioned to secure contracts as approved vendors or suppliers for the City of Arlington, other municipalities, counties, independent school districts and private entities that recognize these certifications.

The program is available to Arlington-based small businesses, which will be reimbursed certification fees not to exceed $650. Applicants will be notified in advance if program funding is exhausted.

Certification options include certifications offered by the following City-recognized certification agencies: the Small Business Administration, North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency, DFW Business Council, and the Women’s Business Council Southwest.

Certifications include, but are not limited to:

• SBA 8(a) Business Development Program

• SBA Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Program

• SBA Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) Program

• Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Certification

• Veteran-owned Business (VOB) Certification

Eligibility Criteria*:

• The business must be based in Arlington and in good standing with the City.

• Applicant must attend at least one partnering organizations session.

*Each certifying organization has their own eligibility criteria.

To apply, complete the following steps.

1. Watch the Kick-Off event video (Request the recording at this link).

2. Watch at least one virtual partnering organization session video (Request recordings at the links below).

   • North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency

   • Women's Business Council - Southwest

   • Small Business Administration

   • DFW Business Council

3. Priority Deadline: October 1, 2025.

   • We are encouraging all interested businesses to complete your certification by October 1 to lock in the program’s current benefits.

   • All required documentation, including proof of qualifying certifications and reimbursement requests (up to $650), must be submitted by December 31, 2025. 

Once an application has been received by the Arlington EDC:

1. City staff will review the application for completeness within 10 days of receiving the application.

2. If the application is determined eligible, the City will prepare an agreement.

3. Business owners apply, pay certification fees, and complete the program requirements with the certification agency of their choice.

4. Upon completion businesses submit application for reimbursement of certification fees through Arlington EDC program funds.

Questions? Email kay.brownpatrick@arlingtontx.gov.

FAQ

Q: What information is needed to apply?
A complete Intent to Apply form is needed: Arlington Business Certification Program Intent to Apply Form

Q: What are the requirements to qualify?

1. Watch the Kick-Off session

2. Attend at least one partner session

3. Meet the requirements and eligibility of the specific certifying organization

Q. If I miss a session, how can I view the recording?

You can request to rewatch a session here: Arlington Business Certification Program Session Recordings Request

Q. Is this only for a business applying for a 1st time certification, or can you apply if you need to renew your certifications? 

Renewals are eligible for the program.

Q. How long does your business have to be in service for the SBE certification?

There is no time requirement, only that it is currently operating.

Q. Is there a required facility visit for certifications?

On-site (virtual) visits are required for federal programs.

Q. What certifications can I get?

All certifications offered by the following partners are offered for reimbursement: North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency, Women’s Business Council – Southwest, Small Business Administration, and DFW Minority Supplier Development

The Arlington EDC, in partnership with the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC), has established the Strategic Solutions Fund (SSF) to help Arlington-based companies accelerate their growth and productivity.

The SSF is designed to accelerate growth and productivity by:

• Supporting eligible Arlington companies identify process, facility, production, technological, or talent-related challenges, inefficiencies, and growth barriers; and,

• Developing strategic interventions and solutions designed to address identified growth barriers; and,

• Covering portions of the cost associated with delivering and implementing the interventions and solutions.

Through the Strategic Solutions Fund, Arlington businesses with 51-250 employees can be eligible for grants up to $10,000 and businesses with 50 employees or less employees can be eligible for grants up to $5,000 for projects with TMAC.

How to Apply

1. Obtain a free TMAC facility/organizational-assessment and recommended scope of work (SOW). Schedule your no-cost TMAC Assessment.

2. Submit a program application and TMAC SOW to Arlington EDC by filling out this form.

3. Agree to programmatic and performance criteria required by the Arlington EDC.

Companies selected for the program will be required to demonstrate the retention of existing operations and jobs within Arlington, at a minimum, and sufficiently identify how TMAC services will contribute to the growth of capital investment in the facility, revenue,  productivity, savings, and/or jobs.

Eligible Companies/NAICS Codes

• Manufacturing (331-339)

• Wholesale Trade (42)

• Transportation and Warehousing (48-89)

• Scientific/technical services (5413/5415/5416/5417)

Submit your 6-digit NAICS code in your application. You can find your NAICS code at: census.gov/naics/

Program Requirements

• All reimbursable expenditures must be for trainings and services for facilities located in Arlington and employees that work in facilities in Arlington.

• All participating companies will be required to agree to Arlington EDC terms within a performance agreement.

• All participating companies will be required to demonstrate the retention of operations/jobs within Arlington for a period of three years.

• All participating companies must be up to date on rendering their business personal property (BPP) to be eligible for the SSF. Learn about BPP rendition on the Tarrant Appraisal District website.

About TMAC

The Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC), part of the national NIST MEP Network, helps accelerate the profitable growth of Texas manufacturers and business by delivering hands-on impact-oriented business management, technology, and operational solutions.

Visit TMAC's website to learn more.

Arlington EDC and LiftFund have teamed up to support small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs by providing zero interest rate funding to support the community and help local business owners achieve their goals.

• Fixed interest rate at 0%

• Small business loans up to $100,000

• Available to all for-profit small businesses located in, or relocating to the Arlington city limits.

This program is subject to funding availability and LiftFund’s credit and lending guidelines, including inability to secure funding through traditional commercial sources. Other fees may apply.

The City of Arlington and the Arlington Economic Development Corporation (EDC) are partnering with SCORE to provide a select group of up to 18 small business owners the opportunity to participate in a series of tailored workshops to advance their company’s growth as part of the Arlington Small Business Development Cohort.

Class content will include the following sessions:

• Developing a Business Plan for Growth

• Sales and Marketing Considerations to drive Growth

• Utilizing Social Media to Boost Visibility/Awareness

• Business Financial Statements/Considerations

• Financing/Funding Resource Overview

• Tips for Recruiting Talent

The program consists of six classes with one class session meeting per month. In addition to these six classes, cohort members will be expected to attend three one-on-one free confidential mentoring sessions (in-person or virtual) with a SCORE representative or other designated mentor by the City of Arlington.

The 2024 cohort has graduated and applications are closed - watch this space for updates on future opportunities.

Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County strives to meet the needs of employers and job seekers through locally designed, market-driven workforce development initiatives and services including:

• Recruiting Assistance & Placement – Offering interview space through Workforce Centers 

• Labor Market Information – Wage information, job descriptions, labor pool availability and local business trends are provided free to business

• Outplacement Services – Designed to support companies that are restructuring, downsizing or closing

• Job Fairs & Hiring Events – One-on-one hiring events for employees

• WorkInTexas.Com – Easy-to-use online job search resources and advanced job matching tools assist businesses in finding the best candidates

• Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) – Federal income tax benefit through the U.S. Department of Labor for private, for-profit businesses who hire from targeted populations. Federal tax savings benefits can range from $1,200 to $9,000 per qualified employee\

Tarrant Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides business mentoring, consulting and training with convenient satellite offices located in Arlington.

Skills Development Grant for Small Business

Funding is focused on the training of newly hired, full-time employees (hired up to 12 months prior to the application date)

Up to $1,800 for each new employee being trained and $900 for existing employees per 12-month period.

All training must be provided by a public community or technical college; selected from active course catalogs/schedules credit, continuing education, online or other available unpublished courses

Employers must pay the prevailing wages in the local labor market for the trainees funded under the grant.