Economic Recovery Resources - Biweekly Update |
|
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.
|
|
Join Webinar Tomorrow to Learn about EDA Funding Opportunities |
Join the Gulf Coast Economic Development District and the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) at 2 p.m. on August 10 to learn about the new EDA funding opportunities and how to prepare an application for the Investing in America’s Communities challenges. The webinar will be led by Jason Wilson, Economic Development Representative for the EDA Austin Regional Office, and allow time for questions and answers. Registration is required. For more information, contact Jillian Donatto.
|
|
New Direct Loan Forgiveness for Paycheck Protection Program |
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s new Paycheck Protection Program Direct Forgiveness Portal streamlines applications for loans $150,000 or less for over 6.5 million businesses. The new forgiveness platform began accepting applications from borrowers on August 4. Lenders must opt-in to this program through directforgiveness.sba.gov. Borrowers that need assistance or have questions should call 877-552-2692, Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Learn more.
|
|
Additional Guidance Issued for Employers Claiming the Employee Retention Credit |
On August 4, the U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service issued further guidance on the Employee Retention Credit (ERC), addressing changes made by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). ARPA extends the availability of the ERC for small businesses through December 2021 and allows businesses to offset their current payroll tax liabilities by up to $7,000 per employee per quarter. This credit of up to $28,000 per employee for 2021 is available to small businesses who have seen their revenues decline or have been temporarily shuttered due to COVID-19. Learn more.
|
|
NTIA Accepting Applications for Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program |
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program, which will direct $268 million for expanding broadband access 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. Applications are due December 1. NTIA will host informational webinars on August 18 and 19. Learn more.
|
|
Rental Assistance Finder from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau |
The Centers for Disaster Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an order on August 3 to temporarily half evictions in counties where COVID-19 is spreading rapidly. To increase awareness of the eviction moratorium, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Federal Housing Finance Agency, Department of Veteran Affairs, and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development partnered on a housing assistance website and encourage you to make homeowners and renters in your area aware of resources to prevent displacement through eviction during the coronavirus pandemic. The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness has also developed a Step-by-Step Guide for renters that are at risk of eviction.
|
|
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.
|
|
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 Endowment for the Arts grants to local arts agencies for day-to-day business expenses/operating costs. Cost share/matching funds are not required.
Federal Communication Commission grants to help schools and libraries provide tools and services for remote learning during the COVID-19 emergency period.
U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration grants for covered partnerships between political subdivisions of a state and providers of fixed broadband service to deploy broadband infrastructure.
The U.S. Economic Development Administration will invest in 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 will work with 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.
|
|
Upcoming Economic Recovery Webinars |
|
Learn about new Economic Development Administration (EDA) funding opportunities and how to prepare an application for the Investing in America’s Communities challenges. The webinar will be led by Jason Wilson, Economic Development Representative for the EDA Austin Regional Office, and allow time for questions and answers.
Join this webinar to learn about the Indigenous Communities challenge, one of six challenges of the Economic Development Administration’s Investing in America’s Communities program.
The SBA will now allow certain businesses with Paycheck Protection Program loans of $150,000 or less to apply directly through a new SBA portal for the forgiveness of their loan. SBA representatives will discuss who is eligible, what information is needed, how to create a login, and how to get help with your application. Join live at 10 a.m.
This webinar will provide an overview of the Fiscal Year 2021 Notice of Funding Opportunity for prospective applicants and subapplicants interested in applying for Flood Mitigation Assistance and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities funding.
The SBA will now allow certain businesses with Paycheck Protection Program loans of $150,000 or less to apply directly through a new SBA portal for the forgiveness of their loan. SBA representatives will discuss who is eligible, what information is needed, how to create a login, and how to get help with your application. Join live at 11 a.m.
Join this webinar to learn about the Good Jobs Challenge, one of six challenges of the Economic Development Administration’s Investing in America’s Communities program.
Join to hear members of the Greater Houston Partnership’s research team put their newest data in the context of the pandemic, economic downturn and other current events.
|
|
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.
|
|
Gulf Coast Economic Development District
713-627-3200
The Economic Recovery Resources - Weekly Update is published by the
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
