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The Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce is continually updating our website and our Facebook page: @SmithvilleAreaChamberOfCommerce.
If you need help or assistance or guidance, give us a call at 512-237-2313 or send us a message: april.daniels@smithvilletx.org
Click on the links below for information on restaurants in our area that are offering curbside/takeout options or for information on SBA Loans, Texas Workforce Commission issues and school closings/lunch program information. We are here to help!
MOST SMITHVILLE RESTAURANTS HAVE NOW RE-OPENED FOR INDOOR DINING. WE WILL UPDATE THIS LIST BASED ON THE GOVERNOR'S JUNE 26TH ORDER.
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Upcoming Events
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JUNE 26, 2020
Governor Abbott’s Orders
Governor Abbott issued Orders yesterday and today regarding Texas businesses in an effort to slow the spread of the Coronavirus. As of today, the following business types are specifically impacted by the new Orders:
• All bars and similar establishment that receive more than 51% of their gross receipts from the sale of alcoholic beverages are required to close at 12:00 PM today. These businesses may remain open for delivery and take-out, including for alcoholic beverage, as authorized by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC).
- Restaurants may remain open for dine-in service, but at a capacity not to exceed 50% of total listed indoor occupancy, beginning Monday, June 29, 2020.
- Rafting and tubing businesses must close.
- Outdoor gatherings of 100 or more people must be approved by local governments, with certain exceptions.
- Any new phases of business re-openings that were previously planned have been canceled.
June 25 Executive Order regarding pausing additional phased re-openings: https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-announces-temporary-pause-of-additional-reopening-phases
June 26 Executive Order regarding specific types of businesses to close or reduce capacity: https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-takes-executive-action-to-contain-spread-of-covid-19
See all of the Governor’s Orders at: https://gov.texas.gov/
Additionally, Orders have been issued limiting outdoor events (as determined by local officials) and cancelling elective surgeries in four Texas counties:
The Chamber is reaching out to Smithville restaurants and will create and disseminate an updated list of restaurant hours at our online shopping guide: www.shopinsmithville.com or visit the Chamber website where we have a page dedicated to COVID-19 resources.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MINI-GRANT
APPLICATION - Submit beginning May 25, deadline is June 19 (1ST ROUND)
2ND ROUND - DEADLINE IS JULY 3rd
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GOVERNOR'S REPORT ON RE-OPENING: APRIL 27, 2020
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Save Small Business Fund: An initiative of the US Chamber Foundation
Small businesses are the foundation of our communities and our economy. Employing nearly half the American workforce, companies like yours keep our neighborhoods running and make them feel like home. Funded by corporate and philanthropic partners, the Save Small Business Fund is a collective effort to provide $5,000 grants to as many small employers as we can. We hope these supplemental funds will help you get through the next days and weeks.
Click here for more information: https://www.savesmallbusiness.com/#eligibility
PeopleFund: Disaster Relief Program of COVID-19
PeopleFund is standing by to assist our small business community with disaster relief efforts and financial assistance. We now have a suite of quick turn-around, disaster assistance loans to meet your needs as well as payment assistance for current clients.
Click here for more information: https://peoplefund.org/get-a-loan/apply-for-a-loan/
Texas Woman’s University: AssistHer Emergency Relief Grant
Offered to Woman Owned Businesses: The purpose of this grant is to help sustain your business while you are under economic hardship due to COVID-19. The funds can be used for technology upgrades or other items needed to change or adapt your business model. Operating expenses (excluding payment of sales tax, payroll, purchase of food for consumption, penalties and fees, and charitable donations).
Click here for more information: https://twu.edu/center-women-entrepreneurs/assisther-emergency-relief-grant/
Business for All Grants
Apply for grants up to $50,000 to support business growth, including $10,000 emergency COVID-19 Business for All Grants to help small businesses in crisis.
Click here for more information: https://businessforall.helloalice.com/
Google Grant Program for Small Business Advertising
Google is offering $340 million in credits for Google Ads that the company says can be used throughout 2020 across any of Google's advertising platforms. The stated goal is to alleviate some of the cost of staying in touch with their customers.
Click here for more information: https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/9803410
Small Business Relief Initiative
GoFundMe.org, the charitable and advocacy arm of GoFundMe, started the Small Business Relief Fund to benefit small businesses. Supporters can donate to the Small Business Relief Fund, which will issue $500 matching grants to qualifying businesses that raise at least $500 on GoFundMe.
Click here for more information: www.gofundme.com/c/small-business-relief-initiative-and-fund-faqs
Texas Small Business Emergency Micro Grants for Minority Owned Businesses
The Texas Black Expo is offering micro-grants of $1,000 to 100 entrepreneurs who have been in business for two years, are currently open, and are experiencing coronavirus-related hardship.
Click here for more information: http://texasblackexpo.com/
Wellness Relief Fund
Reclamation Ventures opened a grant opportunity to cover one month of missed revenue (up to $2,500) for wellness spaces and wellness instructors that represent underestimated communities. Applications will be open until April 30.
Click here for more information: https://www.reclamationventures.co/apply/relief-fund
Texas Shared Work Program
The Texas Shared Work program allows an employer to divide the available work or hours of work among a specified group of affected employees in lieu of a layoff, and it allows the employees to receive a portion of their Unemployment Insurance benefits while working reduced hours. The percentage of reduced hours can be different for different individuals, as long as the reduction in normal weekly hours ranges from 10 percent to 40 percent each week. To apply for the program, log in to Employer Benefits Services and submit your Shared Work Plan online with the Texas Workforce Commission here: https://www.twc.state.tx.us/businesses/employer-benefits-services
Smithville ISD announces all school campuses closed through the end of the school year:
https://www.smithvilleisd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=186536&type=d&pREC_ID=1844358
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM GOV. GREG ABBOTT:
Governor Abbott has announced that all schools (public, private, charter, colleges/universities) will remain closed through the end of the 2019-2020 school year.
Governor Abbott has released Executive Orders regarding re-opening Texas businesses and State Park openings.
See those Orders here: https://gov.texas.gov/ (NOTE: Orders are being updated now so check back and refresh page if needed)
Texas Re-Opens Retail Businesses for “Retail to Go”: Today, April 17, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott signed an Executive Order authorizing the re-opening of retail businesses. Review the DSHS guidance on how to re-open safely for both employees and customers here: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/docs/ReOpenedRetailGuidance.pdf
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PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM:
The Treasury Department and the Small Business Administration (SBA)have provided guidance on the Paycheck Protection Program at the following sites:Texas Workforce Commission JOBS NOW
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Stimulus Package Information
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GOVERNOR ABBOTT'S EXECUTIVE ORDER
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SBA/PPP Websites:
SBA Application Website: https://www.sba.gov/page/disaster-loan-applications
Registration for SBA Sole Proprietors: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
SBA Terms and Conditions: https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/terms-and-conditions
SBA Checklist from the US Chamber of Commerce:
https://www.uschamber.com/sites/default/files/023595_comm_corona_virus_smallbiz_loan_final.pdf
Paycheck Protection Program (Emergency SBA 7(a) Loans)
Fact Sheet: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/PPP--Fact-Sheet.pdf
Application form:
https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/Paycheck-Protection-Program-Application-3-30-2020-v3.pdf
LISC Grant (up to $10K):
https://www.lisc.org/covid-19/verizon-small-business-recovery-fund
SBA bridge loan up to $25,000:
https://www.sba.gov/partners/lenders/7a-loan-program/pilot-loan-programs#section-header-8
Call SBA at 1-800-659-2955 for more information.
HUD (homeowners info):
Homeowner Help: https://www.hud.gov/homeownerhelp
Help is a Phone Call Away > HUD-approved housing counseling agencies are available to provide you with the information and assistance you need to avoid foreclosure. Call 888-995-HOPE (4673) to speak with an expert about your individual situation.Info and Resources: https://www.hud.gov/coronavirus
Summary of loans available for nonprofits:
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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VIRTUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCES:
SMITHVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAS PRESENTED WEBINARS ON THE FOLLOWING WEBINARS:
PAYCHECK PROTECTION PLAN & SBA LOAN VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE
(Contact us for an audio file of this program)
SPEAKERS: April Daniels, Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce, Clinton Hille, Prosperity Bank,
Smithville Branch Manager, Jill Strube, City of Smithville Grants Administrator and Mayor Scott Saunders
2ND WEBINAR: SBA REPRESENTATIVE NINA RAMON ON SBA EIDL LOANS & PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM
(CONTACT US FOR AN AUDIO FILE OF THIS PROGRAM)
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THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL BE UPDATING THEIR FALL 2020 SCHOOL PLANS SOON. WE WILL UPDATE.
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Smithville ISD announces all school campuses closed through the end of the school year:
https://www.smithvilleisd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=186536&type=d&pREC_ID=1844358
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