The Local Initiatives Support Corporation will open another round of the Rural Relief Small Business grant program for small businesses in a rural community facing immediate financial pressure due to COVID-19 on Thanksgiving—November 26. Rural communities are defined as having a population of 50,000 or less. Applicants can be awarded between $5,000 and $20,000 for expenses including rent and utilities, payroll, debt payments, and other immediate operational costs. The application deadline is December 2, 2020. Additional application windows will be December 29, 2020 - January 5, 2021 and January 26 - February 2, 2021. See more grant information and frequently asked questions. 

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is seeking eight volunteer communities for a research project to understand how communities are recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. IEDC will work with each community, offering virtual technical assistance, over a 12- to 15-month period to learn from local efforts and further inform IEDC’s recovery and resilience work. At the conclusion of the project, IEDC will provide recommendations to the community’s corresponding economic development districts to help enhance the resiliency sections of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). Apply online using their application form. For more information, please contact Emily Brown at [email protected]. Applications are due November 30, 2020.

Join the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Fall Planning Workshop on Friday, December 4 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. This annual half-day workshop for local governments will focus on Responsible Revitalization and build on last year’s workshop theme “Building Equity into Planning.” This year, hear best planning practices for ensuring equitable housing, equitable jobs, and equitable transportation. Registration is required. For more information, contact Cheryl Mergo at 713-993-4520.

The regional unemployment rate in October fell to 7.7%, which is down from 9.6% in September and up from 3.6% in October 2019. The regional rate of 7.7% is also higher than the both the statewide rate (6.7%) and the national rate (6.6%). In the Houston-Galveston region, this represents 265,523 individuals without work and looking for a new job. Workforce Solutions reports that seasonal employment remains relatively strong despite the COVID-19 pandemic. “October marks the start of temporary increases in payrolls related to the holiday season, and the monthly jobs report reflects this,” said Workforce Solutions Economist, Parker Harvey. Read the full report.

The White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council and HUD are hosting a webinar series for local economic development leaders and stakeholders in communities with designated Opportunity Zones (OZs). Public officials, community development professionals, nonprofit organizations, civic leaders, and other local economic development stakeholders are encouraged to attend. On December 3, join to Understand the Current Environment and Align Place-Based Assets. On December 8, join to learn how to Establish Policy Tools and Incentives, Develop Partnerships, and Measure Impacts. On December 15, learn how to Develop Your OZ Action Plan to Build or Strengthen Your Local OZ Ecosystem.

The University of Houston Texas Gulf Coast Small Business Development Centers offer free access to pre-recorded webinars for small businesses and a wide selection of upcoming webinars. In the month of December, learn about digital marketing, creating a budget, futurizing your business for 2021, and defining a marketplace in the new economy, among other topics.

Celebrated each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Small Business Saturday allows consumers to make an impact in their neighborhoods by supporting local small businesses. Last year, an estimated 110 million U.S. consumers shopped small on Small Business Saturday. This year, small businesses need our support as they navigate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Small business owners can get free marketing materials from American Express, and shoppers can find participating small businesses in their areas.

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. 

Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program (Ongoing) 

Texas Community Development Block Grant Programs (May 3, 2021)

For non-entitlement units of general local government, the Community Development Fund; Colonia Fund: Construction Program; and Downtown Revitalization Program can finance public infrastructure, housing rehabilitation, and numerous other activities.

Business & Industry CARES Act Guaranteed Loan Program (September 15, 2021)

Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (Ongoing)

EDA Scaling Pandemic Resilience Through Innovation and Technology (SPRINT) Challenge (December 3, 2020)

Community Connect Grants (December 23, 2020)

November 24 | Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Overview | Small Business Administration

Learn the basics of the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) from the Small Business Administration and hear answers to the most frequently asked questions. No registration required; join live at 1 p.m. on November 24.

November 25 | PPP Loan Forgiveness Overview and Q&A | Small Business Administration

Participants will walk step-by-step through the Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness application. No registration required; join live at 11 a.m. on November 25.

December 1 | Counties and COVID-19 Vaccine Planning: How Counties are Investing Coronavirus Relief Fund Dollars | National Association of Counties

December 7-11 | The 2021 Legislative Session Virtual Symposium | The Texas Tribune

December 16 | Financing Local Food Systems Development | Texas Economic Development Council and the Council of Development Finance Agencies

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.