Businesses of the Month honored by Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce | The Progress

The Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce recognized Coastal Bend College, the Del Mar College Small Business Development Center, and Three Rivers Market Day as its Businesses of the Month for November.

Coastal Bend College

Coastal Bend College (CBC) in Beeville serves as an important educational and workforce resource for the region, offering affordable and accessible learning opportunities for students of all ages. With low tuition, financial aid, scholarships, and the option to live at home, CBC provides an economical path to higher education.

The college offers university-transfer courses, workforce training programs, continuing education, and part-time study options to meet a wide range of academic and career goals. Students benefit from small class sizes, strong faculty support, and individualized assistance through the Student Success Center.

CBC also hosts the long-standing Talent Search Program, which helps students from disadvantaged backgrounds pursue postsecondary education. Additionally, Three Rivers students can earn college credit and gain workforce skills through the Dual Credit program while still in high school.

Del Mar College Small Business Development Center

The Del Mar College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is part of a nationwide network dedicated to helping small businesses launch, grow, and thrive.

Whether you want to start a business or grow your business, the SBDM is the place to start. The SBDC hosts the CommunityConnect Program in Three Rivers on the second Tuesday of each month from 1 to 2:30 p.m., providing local small businesses with information, support, and direct access to advisors

Supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the SBDC provides no-cost business advising and low- to no-cost training tailored to entrepreneurs at every stage. The SBDC offers more than 120 workshops each year, covering topics from business startup basics to advanced growth strategies.

Clients also have access to market research tools, funding guidance, and connections to community resources. The center’s mission is guided by core values of integrity, excellence, service, and innovation.

Three Rivers Market Day

Three Rivers Market Day, created and organized by Sharon Bruce, has become an annual community favorite around the City Square. “The annual market day event is about showcasing our many local and surrounding small businesses,” said Bruce. “It’s a great way to bring the community together with food, shopping, music, and FUN!”

Vendors offer a wide variety of products, including metal yard décor, wooden signs, jewelry, wreaths, tumblers, cowhide goods, goat milk soap, plants, knives, salsas, and more.

A special Youth Zone gives young entrepreneurs ages 5 to 17 the chance to develop business skills and sell their creations. The event also features food trucks, kids’ activities such as face painting and bounce houses, and upbeat music to complete the festive atmosphere.

Bruce, who has organized Market Day for the past three years, also coordinates the seasonal Pop-Up Market, scheduled for Dec. 6 from 1-5 p.m. She encourages the community to attend and support the many small businesses that help keep Three Rivers thriving.