PROGRAM OBJECTIVE
The Southwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (TAAC) assists U.S. manufacturing firms hurt by import competition to regain profitable growth. The Southwest TAAC helps its clients document their technical needs; then plan, implement and pay for the highest quality technical assistance available.

BENEFITS
The program provides a means for the firm to immediately carry out specific improvement projects which have been deferred due to financial or manpower constraints. Consulting services are secured for the company on a cost-sharing basis with the Southwest TAAC assuming up to 50% or 75% of the cost of qualified projects.

CONFIDENTIALITY
All business information, including trade secrets and financial information, is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act and treated with strict confidentiality.

ORGANIZATION
The Southwest TAAC is staffed by full-time professionals with hands-on manufacturing experience who are employees of The University of Texas at San Antonio through a cooperative agreement funded by the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.

SERVICES AVAILABLE
Consulting services can be provided by a professional consultant approved by the company in marketing, manufacturing, engineering, finance, employee training, information management, new product development and other areas.

HOW TO APPLY
Call, Fax, or write for a free initial consultation. Call the Southwest TAAC at (800) 344-8872 or (210) 458-2490. You may fax sales and employment information to (210) 458-2491, or mail it to 1222 N. Main, Suite 740, San Antonio, Texas 78212.

ELIGIBILITY
The Southwest TAAC will assist manufacturing firms in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana to show that imports of directly competitive products have contributed significantly to a decline in sales or production and a decline or impending decline in employment levels.