Economic Recovery Resources - Weekly Update |
|
The Houston-Galveston Area Council and the Gulf Coast Economic Development District stand ready to assist the 13-county region in pursuing strategies to restore local economies. We will be issuing this Economic Recovery Resources - Weekly Update to help our local partners stay on top of new funding opportunities. Subscribers to the monthly Regional Economic Development Digest will receive the weekly update automatically. We hope to make it easier for you to secure the resources you need to recover quickly.
Please email Cheryl Mergo or call 713-993-4520 to discuss economic recovery needs you may have.
|
|
Submit Applications for EDA CARES Act Funding As Soon As Possible |
|
HUD Issues Guidance on Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) Funding |
On August 10, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a notice describing program rules, statutory and regulatory waivers, and alternative requirements for supplemental Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds made available to prevent and respond to coronavirus (CDBG-CV funds) through the CARES Act. The notice is effective as of August 7, 2020. For more information on CDBG-CV, view these frequently asked questions. CDBG-CV recipients are encouraged to join a webinar to learn more about the notice on August 20. On August 14, HUD announced new flexibilities states and local governments can use to best utilize CDBG-CV funds, including updated economic development rules, streamlined so grantees can move quickly to help small businesses.
|
|
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission Industry Guidelines Updated on August 7 |
Under a new industry notice, existing food and beverage license holders that make more than 51% of their sales through alcoholic beverages may change their business models and use projected future food sales to qualify as a restaurant. This change will help many of Texas’ small businesses reopen. Read more about the notice and qualification requirements.
|
|
Federal Funding for Rural Communities |
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’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.
|
|
Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Assistance |
On August 4, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) posted the Fiscal Year 2020 Hazard Mitigation Assistance Notice of Funding Opportunities for the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant program and the new Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) pre-disaster mitigation grant program. FEMA’s two competitive mitigation grant programs provide states, local communities, tribes and territories funding for eligible mitigation activities. To learn more about each program, see the BRIC Fact Sheet and FMA Fact Sheet. Application period opens September 30, 2020.
|
|
EPA Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Grants |
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers grants for workforce training programs that recruit, train, and place local, unemployed and under-employed residents in full-time jobs in the environmental field. The EPA encourages applicants to develop their curricula based on local labor market assessments and employers’ hiring needs, while also delivering comprehensive training that allows participants to secure multiple certifications. Read more about the grant here. The application deadline is September 22, 2020.
|
|
Upcoming Economic Recovery Webinars |
|
Each year, counties invest $58 billion in federal, state and local dollars on human services while serving as the frontline social safety net. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, counties are investing in critical public assistance services and programs to better support residents and communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
FEMA will host a two-part webinar series on how to create accessible communications throughout a disaster cycle. Part 1 will provide an overview of effective and accessible methods of communications to use throughout the disaster cycle. Speakers will address changes in technology, specifically virtual platforms, that can present accessibility challenges. Speakers will share insights on basic writing principles and how to write in plain language.
Join Tracye McDaniel, president of TIP Strategies and past chair of the International Economic Development Council, and Angela Glover Blackwell, founder of PolicyLink, in a candid conversation about the state of our economy and the pandemic’s devastating impact on communities of color.
Part 2 of FEMA’s series on accessible communications during a disaster cycle will provide useful resources for print, TV, and radio communication strategies, as well as offer specific tools to help you write for your audience. Subject matter experts will explore solutions to accessibility challenges virtual platforms can present.
|
|
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.
The International Economic Development Council Coronavirus Response webpage provides information on the IEDC's COVID-19 webinar series and frequently updated situational reports.
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.
|
|
Gulf Coast Economic Development District
713-627-3200
The Economic Recovery Resources - Weekly Update is published by the
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
