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$1.5 Billion in EDA CARES Act Grants Available
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is now accepting applications for
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) supplemental funds (EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance) intended to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.
The funding is to help speed communities' economic recovery from the pandemic through implementing economic recovery activities, such as entrepreneurial support programs, infrastructure, and facilities construction to save or create jobs.
The Gulf Coast Economic Development District will be working to provide technical assistance for applicants.
E-mail Josh Owens with any questions.
National Survey Results and Case Studies for Economic Developers in Response to COVID-19
A new report from SizeUp offers 10 case studies of how economic development organizations, businesses, and individuals are working proactively to protect local workers, entrepreneurs, and businesses. The report includes response data from an April 8-15 national survey of economic developers.
Federal Funding For Rural Communities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide organizing funding opportunities identified in the CARES Act and other federal resources that can help support rural America.
Current USDA Funding Opportunities:
- Rural Community Development Initiative (May 13)Capacity building related to housing, community facilities, or community and economic development in low-income areas.
- Revolving Funds for Financing Water and Wastewater Projects (June 12)
Supports predevelopment costs for water or wastewater projects to finance short-term and small capital projects.
- Distance Learning and Telemedicine (July 13)
Helps connect rural communities with medical and educational assets.
- Community Facilities (Ongoing)
Grants and loans to construct, enlarge, or improve essential community facilities in rural areas.
Upcoming Economic Recovery Webinars
May 13, 20 | Center for Houston's Future Leadership Webinar Series | Center for Houston's Future
On May 13: The University of Texas LBJ Urban Lab work suggests the COVID-19 crisis may not be as devastating to cities as we might fear and will discuss provocative ideas about how the state and the region might go forward. On May 20: Nationally recognized health care innovation expert Dr. Asaf Bitton and H-E-B President Scott McClelland will discuss lessons learned from the global pandemic and how we can make our communities more resilient to future crises.
May 13 | Economic Impact and Tax Revenue Forecasting in the Age of COVID-19: An Approach for Local Governments and Economic Developers | Texas Economic Development Council
Understand the impacts (as measured by jobs and tax revenues) of COVID-19 and review the process used to develop these impacts/forecasts, as well as a discussion on how communities can begin to develop a path to effectively reopening the local economy.
May 14 | More Tales from the Front Lines: Local Finance Programs to Address the COVID-19 Crisis | Texas Economic Development Council
Economic Development professionals will share their new finance program developed to assist local businesses in their community to address the COVID-19 crisis.
May 19 | The Long and Winding Road to Economic Recovery | National Association of Development Organizations
Join National Association of Development Organizations for a presentation about how communities can recover from economic shocks over the long-term. Lessons shared will draw on strategies from recovering from a natural disaster, a unique event like a military base closure, or from a major industry downturn, such as the ongoing decline of the coal industry.
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.
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