On September 29, the U.S. Department of Commerce launched its new Job Quality Initiative. The initiative is aimed at helping American employers become more competitive by providing their workers with high quality jobs. The U.S. Department of Commerce will be seeking input from a diverse range of experts to ensure that the Job Quality Initiative reflects the latest research and standards about what constitutes quality employment, which will ultimately be used to guide organizations that wish to attract and retain top talent. Learn more. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant Program provides grants to food processors, distributors, farmers markets, and producers to respond to coronavirus, including measures to protect workers against COVID-19. Approximately $650 million is available to fund applications through the PRS grants program, with awards ranging from $1,500 to $20,000. The first round of funding will be reserved for small businesses primarily in small scale specialty crop production. Once satisfied, the second round may expand eligibility to larger firms not covered by the first round. The deadline to apply for the USDA’s PRS Grant Program is November 7. Learn More.

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) recently approved $2.45 billion in direct support for the Texas child care industry. The one-time funds, made available through federal child care stimulus dollars, are intended to help child care providers address the impacts of COVID, and will be awarded to regulated child care centers and homes beginning in January 2022. The new funds, combined with $775 million that was previously approved in direct support for child care programs, help strengthen a vital industry to the state’s workforce. Learn more. 

If you applied for Child Care Relief Funds before July 31, 2021, be sure to request reimbursement by November 30, 2021. Free business coaching is also available to all regulated child care programs in Texas. Learn more. 

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) announced the release of $38 million in Community Development Block Grant CARES Act funds for the Texas Community Resiliency Program. The program is for non-entitlement cities and counties to create, expand, or enhance public facilities that provide medical care, social services, and/or emergency housing and increase the community’s long-term resiliency and ability to mitigate future coronavirus outbreaks. The minimum request amount per project is $500,000, and the maximum is $5,000,000. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. November 30. Contact [email protected] with questions about this program. Learn more.

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) 

Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (Ongoing)  

Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (Ongoing)

Pandemic Response and Safety Grant Program (November 7, 2021)

American Rescue Plan Additional Assistance Funding (November 8, 2021)  

Federal Transit Administration grants to eligible recipients of Urbanized Area Formula funds or Rural Area Formula funds that, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, require additional assistance for costs related to operations, personnel, cleaning, and sanitation combatting the spread of pathogens on transit systems, and debt service payments incurred to maintain operations and avoid layoffs and furloughs.

Community Resiliency Program (November 30, 2021) 

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs grants to create, expand, or enhance public facilities that provide medical care, social services, and/or non-congregate housing in response to both the COVID-19 pandemic and future pandemics. 

Connecting Minority Communities Program (December 1, 2021)  

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (December 3, 2021)

Good Jobs Challenge (January 26, 2022) 

Economic Adjustment Assistance (March 15, 2022, applications reviewed on a rolling basis)  

Indigenous Communities (March 15, 2022, applications reviewed on a rolling basis) 

Travel, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation (March 15, 2022, applications reviewed on a rolling basis) 

Build Back Better Regional Challenge (Phase 2: March 15, 2022) 

November 4 | Governor’s Small Business Webinar: Updates to the EIDL | Office of the Texas Governor

This Governor's Small Business Webinar will provide an update on the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), administered through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). A panel of experts will provide up-to-date details on the EIDL application process and information on the increased debt limit, the extended deferment period, and the simplified requirements to qualify. The virtual event will also feature a live Q&A with an expert panel, including senior executives from the SBA and Small Business Development Centers.

November 16, 30 | Whole Community Inclusive Economic Recovery | FEMA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is hosting a series of online courses throughout November on inclusive economic recovery. The Whole Community Inclusive Economic Recovery course will introduce economic development districts, civic, community, and economic leaders to economic recovery planning using a whole community approach.

In-Person 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.