You may think long-term financial security is out of reach based on your income—but the truth is, regardless of your income level, there are practical steps you can take to build a stronger financial future.

In this session, you’ll learn key financial concepts and practical strategies to strengthen your household finances. Topics will include paying yourself first, reducing and eliminating debt, the power of homeownership, understanding the Rule of 72, and the benefits of investing with professional guidance.

Five-session program helps entrepreneurs turn business ideas into clear, actionable plans

The Alton Economic Development Corporation is now accepting applications for the third cohort of EDGE—Entrepreneurial Development & Growth Empowerment, powered by Kauffman FastTrac®.

EDGE is a five-session program designed to help aspiring and existing entrepreneurs evaluate their ideas, strengthen their business models, and complete a comprehensive business plan. Participants will work alongside other entrepreneurs, experienced facilitators, and startup professionals who understand the real challenges of launching and growing a business.

Throughout the program, participants will learn about:

• Value proposition development

• Market research

• Financial planning

• Compliance fundamentals

• Pitch development

By the end of the cohort, participants will have a better understanding of their business idea’s profit potential and leave with a clear, actionable roadmap for moving forward. Graduates will also receive a Certificate of Completion and lifetime access to the Kauffman FastTrac® online toolkit.

The program is ideal for first-time founders, entrepreneurs ready to turn a side business into a formal operation, and small-business owners seeking greater clarity, structure, and growth.

Program Information

Dates: October 12–November 9, 2026
Schedule: Mondays from 9:00–11:00 a.m.
Format: Hybrid—in person and virtual
Location: Arturo Galvan Sr. Development Center
416 S. Alton Blvd., Alton, TX 78573

Participation is free for Greater Alton Chamber of Commerce members and $500 for non-members. Scholarships are available, but space is limited.

To apply or request additional information, contact Abril Gonzalez at abril.gonzalez@alton-tx.gov.

The Leadership Power of Delegation
Description: Delegation isn't simply about assigning tasks; it is one of the clearest demonstrations of leadership. When done well, delegation communicates trust, develops confidence, builds future leaders, and creates healthier, more sustainable organizations. Yet too often, leaders at all levels hold onto work because it's faster, feels safer, or they're unsure how to delegate without sacrificing quality.

Register now !!

¿Qué se necesita para administrar un negocio exitoso? ¡Dirigir una empresa exitosa requiere planificación! Este seminario web cubre estrategias críticas para lanzar, mantener y hacer crecer su negocio.

Temas:
• Planificación para cada etapa del desarrollo empresarial.
• Desarrollando tu equipo
• Utilizando los estados financieros comerciales
• Preparándose para el crecimiento empresarial

Registrate ahora !!

The program is free and open to entrepreneurs, aspiring business owners, community leaders, and anyone interested in supporting local businesses. Each meeting gives entrepreneurs an opportunity to present their story, explain the challenges they are facing, and receive ideas and support from those in attendance. It is not a competition or a sales pitch—it is a conversation centered on learning, collaboration, and community.

In today’s digital world, your customers are online—are you? This webinar is designed for small business owners who want to boost visibility, attract more customers, and grow their business using smart, simple digital marketing strategies. Whether you're just getting started or looking to sharpen your approach, you'll learn why being found online is essential—and how to make it happen.
Topics include:
• The difference between traditional and digital marketing—and why it matters
• How to identify and reach your ideal customer (your buyer persona)
• Key digital channels like email, social media, and search engines
• The basics of inbound vs. outbound marketing
• How to create content that attracts and converts
• What SMART digital marketing objectives look like—and how to set your own

Register now !!!

Help customers find your business online! This webinar will guide small-business owners through the steps to add or claim their business on Google Maps, update important information, and strengthen their visibility in local searches.

Register now !!

Do you have a business idea? Are you eager to launch your own venture? Join this webinar to gain essential information and steps for a successful start! It will also prepare you for your one-on-one business advising session, ensuring you have ongoing support.
Register now !!

Your future starts here.
Join us for a FREE Job Fair featuring local employers, on-the-spot interviews, and immediate hiring opportunities. Explore available positions, connect with hiring managers, and take the next step in your career. Bring your resume, dress professionally, and come prepared to make a great impression. Come prepared. Leave hired.

What Is 1 Million Cups?

1 Million Cups is not a pitch competition—it’s a platform for learning, collaboration, and support. Entrepreneurs present their businesses and challenges, followed by an open discussion where attendees can ask questions, offer insights, and help strengthen each other’s ideas.

What This Means for Our Community

The launch of 1 Million Cups represents a major step forward in supporting entrepreneurship and small business growth in Alton. Through regular meetings, the program will:

• Create a welcoming space for local entrepreneurs and startups

• Encourage peer-to-peer learning and mentorship

• Strengthen connections between businesses, professionals, and community leaders

• Help build a stronger, more innovative local economy

1 Million Cups helps foster a culture where ideas are shared, businesses are supported, and the community grows together.

Discover how artificial intelligence (AI) can streamline operations, enhance customer service, and boost your bottom line—without breaking the bank.

Join us for a session designed specifically for small business owners. We’ll break down what AI really is, explore its pros and cons, and show you how even the smallest business can benefit from smart, affordable tools. From marketing automation to inventory management, you’ll leave with actionable ideas and a clear path to get started.

Register here.

Your business works hard for every dollar. Is your real estate working just as hard for you?

Many business owners spend years paying rent or making real estate decisions without realizing they're leaving money and long-term wealth on the table.

Join us for our next Greater Alton Chamber of Commerce Lunch & Learn featuring Juan C. Salas of BIG Realty as he shares practical strategies that can help business owners use real estate to strengthen their business, increase profitability, and build lasting wealth.

You'll learn:

• When leasing makes sense... and when owning is the smarter move

• Why buying land now could save you thousands later

• How commercial and mixed-use properties can become part of your retirement strategy

• The costly real estate mistakes many small business owners make and how to avoid them
  
  Whether you're just getting started, looking to expand, or planning for the future, this session will provide insights that could impact your business for years to come.
  
  Tuesday, July 21, 2026
  11:30 AM
  Arturo Galvan Sr. Development Center
  416 S. Alton Blvd., Alton, TX
  
  Lunch is provided. Space is limited, so RSVP is required.
  
  RSVP: chamber@alton-tx.gov
  
  Don't miss this opportunity to invest an hour in learning strategies that could pay dividends for decades. Sometimes the best investment you make isn't another piece of equipment or another marketing campaign. It's learning how to make your real estate become one of your greatest business assets.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Whether you're a longtime member, a brand new member, or just thinking about joining the Greater Alton Chamber of Commerce, we'd love to see you at our Member Meetup in July.

This casual gathering is a great opportunity to ask questions, meet other local business owners and professionals, and discover how to make the most of your Chamber membership and all the benefits available to you.

Not sure where to start? That's exactly what this event is for. No pressure. No presentations to sit through. Just good conversation, new connections, and a chance to get involved in the community.

If it's your first Chamber event, don't be nervous. Everyone is welcome, and we're excited to help you feel right at home.

Bring your business cards, invite a friend or fellow business, enjoy some light refreshments, and stick around for a raffle.

Thursday, July 16
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Arturo Galvan, Sr. Development Center
416 S. Alton Blvd.
Alton, Texas 78573

Come see what the Chamber is all about and how we can help your business grow.

Gain exclusive access to manufacturing data generated, revealing where industries are concentrating, how key sectors are evolving, and why Rio South Texas Region is emerging as a strategic platform for scalable investment. This event will be hosted as the Ken Jones Board Room (Building B) 301 W. Railroad, Weslaco, TX.

*bring a laptop or personal device for a hands-on experience

The future begins here.
Join us as we celebrate the groundbreaking of Garden Villas, an exciting new community in Alton, Texas. The ceremony will take place at the Garden Villas site on 5 Mile Line Road, between Mayberry Road and Bryan Road. Refreshments will be served. We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you.

Bring the whole family out for a night of fun, food, and community spirit! There will be free hotdogs, moon jumps, food vendors, and plenty of community. Come celebrate summer with your friends, neighbors, and the City of Alton — because this is Where You Belong!

Join us Wednesday, June 11, from 8:30 to 11:45am at the Cambria Hotel for a networking breakfast!

COSTEP is pleased to invite regional Economic Development Corporations, workforce leaders, and strategic partners to participate in the June 11, 2026 meeting and networking session during the official visit of the Cluster Automotriz de San Luis Potosi to the Rio South Texas Region.

RSVP to asaldanacruz@costep.org or info@costep.org