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UPDATED: Local COVID-19 Resources for La Grange Businesses
La Grange EDC Establishes Emergency Small Business Programs as a Response to COVID-19
As La Grange small businesses continue to suffer financial fallout due to the coronavirus pandemic, the City of La Grange's Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has approved funding for a variety of emergency small business programs.
NEW: La Grange EDC Utilities Grant for Businesses Impacted by Executive Orders
The La Grange EDC has designated $40,000 to expand the City of La Grange utilities grant to help cover utility costs associated with small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Businesses must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible:
- Independently owned and operated with a maximum of 50 employees
- Physical and publicly accessible commercial location within the City limits of La Grange
- Operations limited or suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions enacted through Governor Abbot’s and Fayette County Judge Joe Weber’s COVID-19 executive orders including the following businesses:
- Retail (storefront)
- Personal care (barbershop, hair salon, nail salon, fitness, etc.)
- Hotels/Motels
- Bars
- Medical / Dental Offices that have been closed to non-emergency services
Grants will be awarded at a maximum of $500 for each business to help cover the cost of City of La Grange utility bills associated with a small businesses’ account. The business account for the utility bill will be verified by the City of La Grange utilities department. Only one grant will be awarded per commercial location/address. Applicants will be asked to explain on the application how the business has been negatively impacted by COVID-19.
Funding will be considered until all resources have been allocated. The application deadline is Tuesday, May 19, 2020.
For program details and application
UPDATE: La Grange EDC COVID-19 Emergency Forgivable Microloan Fund
In order to assist local businesses who have been affected by COVID-19, the EDC Board approved $100,000 in funding to establish the EDC COVID-19 Emergency Forgivable Microloan program. These forgivable microloans were underwritten, approved, and serviced by a non-profit, BCL of Texas, with 30 years of lending experience in serving rural communities. The forgivable microloan proceeds could be used to cover rent, utilities, payroll and/or other operating expenses.
The program was very successful and La Grange EDC was able to disperse all funding in forgivable loans to forty (40) local businesses. These funds helped bridge the financial gap while some businesses continue to wait for federal resources.
UPDATE: La Grange EDC Utilities Grant for Restaurants
The La Grange EDC designated $10,500 to a Utilities Grant Fund to assist locally-owned independent restaurants within the City limits of La Grange with a grant of $500 each to help cover the cost of utility bills.
The Utilities Grant program for restaurants was very successful. Through this program, La Grange EDC was able to award grants to eighteen (18) local restaurants.
UPDATE: Texas Restaurant Association Relief Fund
The Texas Restaurant Association has established the Texas Restaurant Relief Fund. The fund is designed to provide restaurants that have been affected by COVID-19 a grant of up to $5,000 to be able to continue operations and pay employees.
La Grange EDC has made a $10,000 donation to the fund that will be earmarked for La Grange restaurants. Five (5) La Grange businesses were able to apply for the grant during the first round of open applications and some have already received confirmation that they will be funded. At least four (4) more La Grange restaurants applied during the second round of open applications.
In addition to the donation from the EDC for the fund, we have received donations from Fayette Savings, National Bank & Trust, Pioneer Bank, Prosperity Bank, and Round Top State Bank.
To help raise additional funds for the Texas Restaurant Relief Fund, the City of La Grange's Office of Community Development is accepting donations from individuals and organizations for the fund. Checks should be made out to: Texas Restaurant Association Education Foundation with Donation to TX Restaurant Relief Fund - La Grange in the memo line and mailed to the Office of Community Development, City Hall, 155 E. Colorado St., La Grange, TX 78945. The office will mail all of the checks to the Texas Restaurant Association to be credited to assist La Grange restaurants.
For additional information on any of these programs, please contact the City of La Grange's Office of Community Development at 979-968-3017.
Business Resources for COVID-19
House Sends $2 trillion Coronavirus Rescue Package to President $1 Million Grant Program to Aid Women’s Businesses Hurt by COVID-19 - News & Events - Texas Woman's University Facebook Provides Small Business Grants Program Verizon and LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) Come Together to Support Small Businesses with COVID-19 Recovery Fund Yelp’s COVID-19 Response and Support for Local Businesses GoFundMe Launches Small Business Relief Initiative The James Beard Foundation launches the Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund FEDERAL RESOURCES Governor Abbott announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has now granted Texas’ Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) assistance declaration, making loans available statewide to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations to help alleviate economic injury caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19).Next Steps: Small businesses who believe they may be eligible for an SBA EIDL should visit the SBA’s website where they can directly apply for assistance. The online application is the fastest method to receive a decision about loan eligibility. THOSE APPLYING WILL NEED TO REFERENCE THE SBA'S DECLARATION NUMBER FOR THIS LOAN, WHICH IS TEXAS #16381.Here are the five documents on the website you will need to complete:
Below is the list of ten documents you should assemble and scan to prepare for uploading them into the EIDL website:
Go to www.disasterloan.sba.gov to complete your profile and download forms. Apply for Disaster Assistance Guidelines for Small Business Internal Revenue ServiceThe federal tax return filing deadline is now July 15, 2020. For tax payments of up to $10 million, the IRS has also extended the deadline for both individuals and businesses to July 15, 2020. Estimated tax payments for 2020 originally due on April 15 will now be due on July 15. The Federal Reserve Federal Reserve: Commercial Paper Funding Facility to support the flow of credit to households and businesses. FRB Press RELEASE The U.S. Department of Labor The U.S. Department of Labor provides information on common issues employers and employees face when responding to influenza, pandemics, or other public health emergencies. Employment Resources Preparing Workplaces Center for Disease Control and PreventionCommunity Organizations Businesses Community Events
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COVID-19: The Latest Information for Businesses & Employees
Shared Work Program Provides an Alternative to Layoffs During COVID-19
Shared Work allows employers to supplement their employees’ wages lost because of reduced work hours with partial unemployment benefits. Under the program, employers can reduce normal weekly work hours for employees in an affected unit by at least 10 percent but not more than 40 percent. Shared Work unemployment benefits are payable to employees who qualify for and participate in an approved Shared Work Plan. Workers may choose not to participate. Employees who qualify will receive both wages and Shared Work unemployment benefits.
For more information visit click here.
Also, visit the TWC website for more information about other available programs by clicking the links below:
Resources for Employers
Resources for Job Seekers
Resources for Child Care
Jobs Now
Workforce Solutions - Rural Capital Area is contacting individuals that have been laid off to jobs that are available in our area. Go to https://workforcesolutionsrca.com/jobs-now to search available positions by county. If you are an employer who would like to have your openings added to this page, please email our Business Services Team at businessservices@ruralcapital.net.