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 e-mail Josh Owens or call 832-681-2613 to discuss economic recovery needs you may have.


Support for Small and Medium Manufacturers Pivoting Production in Response to COVID-19
The Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC) is providing services to small- and medium-sized manufacturers, such as connecting businesses that are pivoting their production in response to the coronavirus to new supply chains, connecting firms with state resources, advising companies on new operational issues, and providing workforce support. TMAC is part of the National Institute of Standard and Technology's Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). View regional office locations
 in Texas.
 
Micro-Grants for Female Entrepreneurs through the Red Backpack Fund
The Red Backpack Fund,  a partnership between the Sara Blakely Foundation and GlobalGiving, is making at least 1,000 grants of $5,000 each to female entrepreneurs in the United States to help alleviate the impact of the crisis. Majority women-owned businesses and nonprofits in the United States and its territories with annual revenues less than $5 million, at least one paid employee, and with fewer than 50 individuals on staff are eligible to apply. The application portal will next open August 3-10.
 
Unemployment Insurance Claims in the Gulf Coast Region Available Through Workforce Solutions' Online Dashboard
Workforce Solutions and H-GAC published an unemployment insurance claims dashboard with claims sorted by age, race, gender, educational attainment, and industry. Claims can be viewed for the region, by county, zip code, school district, and by legislative districts.
 
Responding to COVID-19: A HUD Webinar Series for Local Governments Serving Small Communities
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is offering a series of six webinars with resources for local governments related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Webinars will provide information on how small communities can access public funding, data, and other resources. The series will be of special interest to city managers or mayors, finance directors or treasurers, community planning / development directors, economic development directors, and any active consultants working in housing, health/childcare, and economic development.
 
Economic Development Administration CARES Act Funding
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) continues to accept applications for CARES Act supplemental funds (EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance) intended to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. Funds are available through the 2020 Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Notice of Funding Opportunity (FY20 PWEAA NOFO, see page 46). The Gulf Coast Economic Development District will provide technical assistance to applicants. E-mail Josh Owens with any questions.

Federal Funding For Rural Communities 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide organizes funding opportunities identified in the CARES Act and other federal resources that can help support rural America.  Current USDA funding opportunities:
  • Business & Industry CARES Act Guaranteed Loan Program (September 15, 2021)
  • Loan guarantees to lenders supporting rural businesses and agricultural producers to supplement their working capital to prevent, prepare for and respond to the coronavirus.
  • Community Facilities (Ongoing)
    Grants and loans to construct, enlarge, or improve essential community facilities in rural areas.

Upcoming Economic Recovery Webinars 
 
COVID-19 has required a faster and more thoughtful change management and innovation strategy from all sectors. Join this webinar to learn how the U.S. Department of Labor used crowdsourcing in emergency response.
 
In anticipation of SBA's changes to the certification process for Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs) and Economically Disadvantaged WOSBs (EDWOSBs) going into effect on July 15, Matthew Moriarity of Koprince Law LLC will discuss the updates. Join Microsoft Teams Meeting +1 469-225-3127 United States, Dallas (Toll) Conference ID: 120 961 407#
 
July 15 | COVID-19 Response: Lessons Learned on Cybersecurity and Resilience in the Pandemic | Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
COVID-19 has forced state and local governments to adapt to a volatile new environment. Now, state and local officials are teaming up to discuss lessons learned about securing our communities during a pandemic. Join this webinar to learn the latest on everything from cybersecurity for a remote workforce to COVID-related phishing and malware campaigns.
 
July 15 | Optimizing the PPP Loan: Part II | Office of the Governor, Economic Development
The Governor's Small Business team will host a second webinar on optimizing the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan and maximizing its forgiveness. They will build upon PPP loan updates provided in the first part of the series (held July 1), and provide details on the many changes made to loan terms and value calculations for loan forgiveness. Panelists will also guide small business owners and entrepreneurs to available state and federal resources and information on non-financial support.
 
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the federal government along with state and county leaders have issued emergency orders to increase access to telehealth services and to increase the pool of available health care providers. Join the National Association of Counties (NACo) and partners for a webinar detailing these new regulatory flexibilities, how they are being implemented to improve access for underserved communities, and what opportunities exist to integrate digital platforms into the Medicaid system.
 
July 17 | Federal Recovery Resources from the EPA | Council of Development Finance Agencies 
This webinar will focus on COVID-19 recovery assistance through the Environmental Protection Agency by highlighting best practices, case studies, and mitigation tools that will allow your community to be more resilient in the face of natural disasters.
 
July 21 | Financing Small Business Recovery After COVID-19 | Council of Development Finance Agencies
The nation's small businesses have been facing an unprecedented economic disruption due to the coronavirus. Now more than ever, access to capital for this sector is critical to the survival and rebuilding of our small business ecosystem. During this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series, panelists will discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on access to capital and how finance tools have evolved to meet the growing needs of small businesses as the nation works towards economic recovery.
 
July 21 | Economy Series: Mid-Year Review | Greater Houston Partnership
Greater Houston Partnership Senior Vice President of Research Patrick Jankowski will deliver his monthly analysis on Houston's economy by taking a look back at the first six months of 2020.
 
July 31 | Federal Recovery Resources from the SBA | Council of Development Finance Agencies
Small businesses are critical economic development drivers in urban centers, suburban enclaves, and rural cities, yet COVID-19 has left many struggling to identify and obtain the necessary capital to sustain the workforce and pay bills. During this webinar, administrators from the U.S. Small Business Administration will provide a year-end analysis of its COVID-19 relief programs and discuss what can be learned about providing small businesses with access to capital.


Partner Resources 

Visit our 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, 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 COVID-19 resources, updated, and links. It includes webinars, small business program examples, research white papers, resources for businesses, 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 training, federal agency COVID-19 resources, member response resources, national partner organizations response resources, Office of Management and Budget guidance, state-by-state workforce guidelines, philanthropic resources for communities, and economic resilience resources.

The International Economic Development Council Corona Virus Response webpage provides information on the Council's COVID-19 webinar series, COVID-19 resources, and frequently updated situational reports.

Main Street Forward provides a wide range of free resources for Main Street leaders, including recovery planning tools, research, advocacy efforts, and best practices and examples from around the Main Street Network.
 
The Economic Recovery Resources - Weekly Update is published by the

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