Volume 012921 | January 29, 2021
Your weekly news & updates
Chamber offering FREE Covid-tests for employees of Chamber-member businesses
The Greater Taylor Chamber of Commerce is offering free BinexNow rapid Covid-19 antigen test kits to Chamber-member businesses in a program created by the Office of the Governor and Texas Division of Emergency Management.
“We are excited about this opportunity for our members and hope it will help them keep their businesses and employees safe,” Chamber President and C.E.O. Tia Rae Stone said. “We hope it will allow businesses to shorten costly employee quarantines and better manage COVID exposure of workers.”
The testing is limited to Chamber business members and their employees and is not available to the general public or to family members of employees.
“We have only a limited supply of these tests,” Stone said. “And their sole purpose is to help businesses stay open as much as possible.”
Testing will be offered to businesses in two ways.
The first is for larger businesses that are able to assign a testing and reporting administrator. These businesses will be trained, supplied with kits and will then be able to perform the tests at their own job sites.
The Chamber will perform testing for businesses with smaller employee counts where on-site testing may not be practical. These tests will be done by appointment only and all test subjects are required to arrive at the site properly wearing a mask.
To schedule an appointment, the business owner or manager should email the Chamber at info@taylorchamber.org.
The Chamber welcomes new or renewing business members at any time throughout the year. Call 512-352-6364 for information.
We have created the following resources for you... click HERE for a PDF to print and post in an employee-only area notifying your employees of test availability. Click HERE for a FAQ for your, your managers and/or your HR department. And, finally, click HERE for an information sheet for your employees you are sending for testing.
Information & Education
Lone Star Circle of Care is February luncheon
We hope you will all join us at noon Monday, Feb. 22, for our monthly luncheon which will include an update on Lone Star Circle of Care’s project at the West End School at an online “luncheon” Monday, Feb 22.
    LSCC CFO John Calvin will present the program and focus on the company’s Project Headwaters program that is expected to open at the old school at 1301 Ferguson later this summer.
Where can I sign up for a Covid vaccine?
Williamson County is getting more and more of the vaccine each week and started some mass-vaccination events this week.
While we believe there may be more providers as the days move along, here are two whose list you might want to get on
PPP 2.0 information
The PPP Loan 2.0 has finally kicked off. Like the previous Paycheck Protection Program, you will need to go through your bank or an approved SBA lender to file your application.

If you are a sole proprietor or 1099 worker, you MAY be eligible for this round. Contact your bank for information and assistance.

If you intend to apply, the bank will need this application filled out. This round is slightly different than the first, in that to qualify for PPP loan 2.0, you will have to prove that you had a reduction of Gross Receipts in any one quarter in 2020 when compared to that corresponding quarter in 2019.

There are a couple more pieces of information on the application, such as ZIP + 4 (more information), NAICS code (find that here), year business established, etc. You will also want to have a copy of your quarterly payroll taxes for 2019 (or 2020 if that works better for you) to support your payroll claim. Remember, the PPP loan is your monthly payroll x2.5 (restaurants, clubs and venues are eligible for more) and, in order to be 100% forgiven, you will need to spend at least 40% of it on payroll.

In summary, the process will look like this:
  • Application is completed (based upon what SBA has requested at this time).
  • Once reviewed by Underwriting an electronic version will be generated and sent to you.
  • You must VERIFY the validity of the application.
  • You must attest to the accuracy of the document.
  • Sign and send back to the bank electronically.
  • Bank will submit to SBA.
  • Once SBA makes a decision on your application we will begin loan documents and funding.  
Member announcements
Job fair -- Friday, Feb. 13
8 a.m. to noon
Full-time positions on 1st and 2nd shifts available.
Interviews will be held on the spot
Benefits: medical, dental, vision and 401K.
Free tax assistance

Due to the pandemic, services at most free income tax preparation sites in Williamson County and many other areas have been revised or canceled. United Way of Williamson County's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is pleased to offer free drop off / pick up tax preparation service at 1205 Round Rock Ave., Ste. 106, Round Rock, TX 78681 by appointment only.

Beginning Feb. 10 and running through April 15, 2021, IRS-certified tax preparers will be available to provide assistance to households earning $57,000 or less annually and to older adults of all income levels. Tax preparers are certified through the IRS annually and returns are filed electronically according to IRS standards. Free tax preparation services are available in English and Spanish. Customers must remain in their vehicle at all times and wear a face mask when talking to volunteers.
 
For a list of what to bring, the terms and conditions, and to schedule an appointment, visit www.wilcofreetaxprep.org.