Economic Recovery Resources - Biweekly Update |
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The Houston-Galveston Area Council and the Gulf Coast Economic Development District issue this Economic Recovery Resources Biweekly Update to help our local partners secure the resources they need to recover from economic disruption. Subscribers to the monthly Regional Economic Development Digest will receive the update automatically.
Please email Jillian Donatto or call 631-897-3817 to discuss economic recovery needs you may have.
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National League of Cities Guide to Implementation of Local Recovery Funds from American Rescue Plan Act |
The American Rescue Plan Act package includes the groundbreaking Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF), a $350 billion grant program to aid every level of government, including all 50 states, 3,000+ counties, and 19,000+ municipalities. The National League of Cities has developed a guide with nine benchmarks to help local governments of all sizes to process allocated SLFRF grant dollars. Learn more.
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$30 Million Harris County Small Business Recovery Program Opens September 20 |
Houston area small businesses still recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic may soon apply for funding through a new Harris County initiative. The grant program will disburse awards of between $5,000 and $25,000 to up to 2,000 Harris County businesses for COVID relief. Applicants will need to be businesses registered in Harris County with 30 or fewer employees. Applicants must have annual revenue of less than $500,000 in 2019 and 2020, and the business must have been in operation before March 11, 2020. Join an informational webinar on September 8, September 13, September 15, or September 23. The application period will be two weeks, beginning September 20. Learn more.
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Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Notice of Funding Opportunity Released |
The Federal Emergency Management Agency released the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Notice of Funding Opportunity on August 9. The application period to apply for fiscal year 2021 BRIC funding will open on September 30. The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is the State of Texas applicant for all BRIC projects. Communities must submit their sub-applications to TDEM for review by December 3. Learn more.
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Federal Funding for Rural Communities |
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide organizes funding opportunities identified in the CARES Act and other federal resources that can help support rural America.
Grants and loans to construct, enlarge, or improve essential community facilities in rural areas.
Loans and grants to a non-profit entity or institution of higher education to establish revolving loan funds for rural micro-loan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs, or to provide training and technical assistance to micro entrepreneurs.
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Federal Funding for All Communities |
U.S. Economic Development Administration grants for construction or non-construction projects that will retain or create jobs and/or generate private investment.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration grants to eligible Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges or Universities (TCUs), minority-serving institutions (MSIs), and consortia led by an HBCU, TCU, or MSI that also include a minority business enterprise or tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization to expand broadband access.
U.S. Economic Development Administration funding for regional coalitions to implement a collection of 3 to 8 distinct but related projects, in coordination with industry and community partners, and aligned around a holistic vision to build and scale a strategic industry cluster.
U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) funding for state planning efforts and grants to build Communities of Practice to extend technical assistance to support EDA’s work with grantees.
U.S. Economic Development Administration grants to develop and strengthen regional workforce training systems and sector-based partnerships with a focus on programs for women, people of color, and historically underserved communities.
U.S. Economic Development Administration grants to help communities plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through construction or non-construction projects designed to meet local needs.
U.S. Economic Development Administration funding for Tribal Governments and Indigenous communities to develop and execute economic development projects they need to recover from the pandemic and build economies for the future.
U.S. Economic Development Administration investments to revitalize the hard-hit travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation industries and accelerate the recovery of communities that rely on these sectors.
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Upcoming Economic Recovery Webinars |
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In this installment of the Council of Development Finance Agencies Federal Financing Webinar Series, experts will discuss how federal financing tools can be used to fund 5G broadband networks.
In this roundtable discussion, mayors will discuss how the American Rescue Plan, signed into law in March 2021, will help their cities and the country.
This webinar will look at different strategies for creating themed virtual tours to attract investment, support workforce attraction, profile target industry sectors, attract film and video production, and highlight tourism in your region.
Learn about the International Economic Development Council’s new report on preparing communities of color for the future of work. Inclusive strategies for upskilling/reskilling workers and fostering entrepreneurship will be discussed.
This webinar will share ideas for optimizing federal funding to achieve economic development aspirations around business growth, infrastructure, workforce alignment, and other critical topics. The session will provide examples of ways to deploy American Rescue Plan Act funds to generate long-term value for your community.
In-Person Events:
Join the Texas Economic Development Council, in partnership with the International Sustainable Resiliency Center to learn how to navigate disasters of all kinds, to learn the best practices for business continuity, and to learn where to access resources to aid in economic recovery.
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Visit the GCEDD website for information and links to local, regional, and partner organizations that have additional resources and information on economic recovery. A select list is presented below.
The Greater Houston Partnership has established the Greater Houston Business Recovery Center (GHBRC), which will provide guidance on policy and financing related to recovery programs.
RestoreYourEconomy is your resource for up-to-date information related to COVID-19 and its economic impacts.
The Texas Economic Development Council COVID-19 webpage catalogs webinars, small business program examples, research white papers, Texas Workforce Commission resources, and advice for retailers.
The National Association of Development Organizations COVID-19 resource center provides advocacy resources, upcoming virtual events and trainings, federal agency COVID-19 resources, national partner organizations response resources, Office of Management and Budget guidance, state-by-state workforce guidelines, and philanthropic resources for communities.
A wide range of free resources for Main Street leaders, including recovery planning tools, research, and best practices and examples from around the Main Street Network.
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Gulf Coast Economic Development District
713-627-3200
The Economic Recovery Resources - Weekly Update is published by the
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