WIRING THE BORDER

Criteria

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SMALL/MEDIUM SIZED ENTERPRISES (SMEs)

WIRING THE BORDER PROJECT (WTB)

US-MEXICO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

In order to qualify for participation in the US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce's (USMCOC) Wiring the Border (WTB) project, small/medium sized enterprises (SMEs) shall meet the following criteria:

• Small business as defined by the US Small Business Administration (SBA)

  • SBA Size Standard by Standardized Industrial Code (SIC)

    • WHOLESALE – not more than 100 employees;

    • RETAIL OR SERVICE – average 3 years annual sales or receipts of not more than $5.0 to $21.0 million, depending on business type;

    • MANUFACTURING – basically not more than 500 employees, but in some cases up to 1,500 employees;

    • CONSTRUCTION – average (3 year) annual sales or receipts of not more than $7.0 to $17.5 million, depending on the specific business type.

• Annual Sales

  • Service Sector – over $500,000;

  • Manufacturing Sector – over $500,000

• Principal owner(s) are United States citizens whose business is located along the Southwestern border of the U.S. (Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California)

  • Located within 150 miles of the US-Mexico border
     

• Operated their business full-time for at least two years

  • Two years of business income tax filings
     

• Eligible for SBA 7(a) loan program

  • Tax requirement – current on payroll taxes;

  • operating business plan;

  • month-to-month cash flow (actual & projected);

  • collateral
     

• State Charter/licenses current (as appropriate)
   

• Willingness to accept mentor/protégé assistance
   

• Willingness to participate in "pay-back projects" such as:

  • mentor-protégé;

  • counseling & training for other SMEs;

  • providing services for new SMEs;

  • training programs/projects for underemployed;

  • other
     

• Currently or potential to do business internationally.
   

• Currently using internet for on-line business development, on bidding purposes or planning to use internet for business development purposes.
   

• If minority/women-owned business has potential to qualify for other SBA/Minority Enterprise Development (MED) programs.
  

ADDED VALUE CRITERIA:

QUALIFY ASSURANCE STANDARDS SUCH AS:

• ISO 9000 SERIES;

• ISO 14000 SERIES,

• MILITARY CERTIFICATIONS

• ANSI/ASQC Z1.4

• Other