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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Expect Notices of Funding Availability from the EDA |
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) will soon release notices of funding opportunity for $3 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funding through multiple (perhaps as many as six) individual award opportunities. Given high demand for CARES Act grant funding, the EDA expects these next rounds of relief funds to be similarly competitive. Those who submitted applications for CARES Act grant funding will be required to resubmit a new application; previous applications cannot be rolled over.
The GCEDD will provide technical assistance for applicants. Contact Jillian Donatto at 631-897-3817 with any questions.
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New Child Care Relief Fund for COVID-Impacted Businesses |
Child care businesses are critical for Texas’ economy. Many child care businesses went out of business during the COVID-19 pandemic or are now operating under stress. The Texas Workforce Commission is launching a Child Care Relief Fund and will accept applications until July 11. The Texas Workforce Commission will also provide free business coaching all year, including assistance with your application for the Child Care Relief Funds. For more information, visit childcare.texas.gov.
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Prepare for FY2021 BRIC Program, Opening in September |
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will award $1 billion dollars nationally in hazard mitigation funding through the 2021 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program. This is a great opportunity to submit proposals for large, regional, watershed, and multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation projects.
The open application period for BRIC projects will be from September through December 3, 2021. The Texas Department of Emergency Management will review and submit applications to FEMA in January 2022. 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.
Loan guarantees to lenders supporting rural businesses and agricultural producers to supplement their working capital to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus.
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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.
Grant awards for surface transportation infrastructure projects, including capital investments or planning projects, that will have a significant local or regional impact.
Grants for partners to engage in targeted outreach to small businesses in underserved communities—including micro and rural businesses, with emphasis on those owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals—to help them recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grants will be awarded to covered partnerships between political subdivisions of a state and providers of fixed broadband service to deploy broadband infrastructure.
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Upcoming Economic Recovery Webinars |
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This webinar will discuss areas critical to protecting your business, employees, and community from workplace disruptions, natural, and man-made disasters.
This webinar will provide an overview of business financial best practices. Ensure that you are not left in the dark about your company’s financial situation and can make informed business decisions.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many disruptions: schools are remote, healthcare providers see patients virtually, and small businesses have shut their doors to in-store customers.These disruptions have particularly impacted rural communities where there is already a gap in accessing high-speed internet. Join to hear experts explain how rural communities can embrace the challenges of financing high-speed internet for the economic and societal gains provided by broadband.
Threats from disasters seem unrelenting this year. It is not a question of if there will be another, but when. Join the Small Business Administration and Houston SCORE to learn about how small businesses can prepare for disaster.
Join the Small Business Administration and the Texas Department of Insurance’s Texas Occupational Safety Consultation to learn what small businesses should know about workplace safety, health programs, and COVID-19 guidance. Join live at 10 a.m.
Join National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) staff to hear more about NTIA's Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Grants Program funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.
Changing workplace and home dynamics due to the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the need for reliable broadband for communities and magnified the digital divide between various populations and rural communities. Join IEDC for this webinar on how communities can best incorporate broadband into underserved communities and hear from economic development professionals who are leading broadband initiatives.
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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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