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City of Austin Seal
New Grants for Small Businesses and Non-Profit Orgs


Dear Austinites,

Today our team is excited to announce two grant programs for small businesses and non-profit organizations facing hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic:
  • The Austin Small Business Relief Grant will provide eligible small businesses with grants up to $40,000 for expenses incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and/or for purchases to comply with safety requirements.
  • The Austin Non-Profit Relief Grant will provide eligible Austin nonprofits with grants up to $20,000 for expenses incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visit ATXrecovers.com for more information about both programs, including guidelines and eligibility. 

New State and Local Orders Requiring Face Coverings and Limiting Outdoor Gatherings
Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Order No. GA-29 on July 2, 2020 requiring all Texans to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth in public spaces in counties with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases, with few exceptions. The Governor also amended Executive Order No. GA-28 giving mayors and county judges the ability to impose restrictions on some outdoor gatherings over 10 people. Additionally, Governor Abbott’s amendment prohibits groups larger than 10, with few exceptions, and requires maintaining six feet of social distancing from others.

Consistent with the Governor's Order, Mayor Steve Adler issued a new City of Austin Order on July 2, 2020 requiring everyone in city limits to wear some form of face covering that fits snugly over their nose and mouth. The Mayor’s Order also prohibits indoor or outdoor gatherings of more than 10 people, unless the gathering is expressly permitted by the Governor’s Order or a local Order.

Visit the City of Austin COVID-19 Information for Businesses and Industries webpage for helpful and up-to-date guidance for the most recent health and safety orders.

Thank you for working together to help slow the spread and keep our community safe. 


Veronica Briseño
Chief Economic Recovery Officer
City of Austin
Economic Development Department Highlights 
Relief Grants Open to Support Austin Small Businesses and Non-Profits
Applications Open: July 7 at 10:00 a.m. to July 24, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
The City of Austin Economic Development Department announces two grants to support and sustain local, small businesses as well as local non-profit organizations that are facing extreme hardships due to economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Better Business Bureau will provide consultation and case management services to grant applicants needing assistance.

Austin Small Business Relief Grant
The Austin Small Business Relief Grant is a $16.5 million fund that will provide grants up to $40,000 to local, small businesses in Austin city limits, including sole proprietors.
 
Virtually attend an Austin Small Business Relief Grant webinar:
 
For eligibility questions and application assistance, contact the Better Business Bureau by email businessreliefgrant@austin.bbb.org or by phone 512-318-2683.
Austin Non-Profit Relief Grant
The Austin Non-Profit Relief Grant is a $6.35 million fund that will provide grants up to $20,000 to Austin non-profit organizations serving in specific areas of need.
 
Virtually attend an Austin Non-Profit Relief Grant webinar:
 
For eligibility questions and application assistance, contact the Better Business Bureau by email nonprofitreliefgrant@austin.bbb.org or by phone 512-318-2683.
 
Visit ATXRecovers.com to review grant guidelines, eligibility requirements, and a checklist of application documentation.
Small Business Division
The Small Business Division is committed to providing business training, educational events, and coaching to empower entrepreneurs. Visit SmallBizAustin.org to access our online classes, resources and funding.

July 16 -The world has changed. Has your marketing? As a small business, you need to stay ahead of the game. Set your brand up to succeed post-crisis and create momentum for the future with proven tactics used by leading brands.


July 24 - Are you feeling stuck with building your dream business? If you are a Latina in Austin, you can get free access to the Academy! Get started building a business plan in one power-packed weekend of entrepreneurial insights.

Resources for Businesses

Visit ATXRecovers.com  for resources, news updates, and other information for individuals and organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Also visit the City of Austin Information for Businesses and Industry website for updated safety guidelines for employers, employees and customers.
Travis County Small Business Grant
The Travis County Thrive Small Business Program is offering grants of up to $40,000 for qualifying small businesses. Small businesses must submit a pre-application by July 10, 2020 to be considered for funding. Eligible businesses must be located within Travis County but outside of the City of Austin. Visit www.traviscountythrive.com or call 512-512-994-2280 to take the first step by completing the pre-eligibility questionnaire.
U.S. Hispanic Contractors Association - Stay in La Lucha!
The U.S. Hispanic Contractors Association (USHCA) shares an important message to take essential precautions to keep our construction community and citizens safe. Remember to wash your hands often, maintain a six foot distance from others, wear a fabric face covering, do not come to work if you are sick or have had contact with someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days, do not shake hands, do not share tools, limit carpooling, and do not share community water coolers.



Health & Safety

For the latest updates from the City of Austin COVID-19 response, visit www.austintexas.gov/COVID19. 
New City of Austin Health and Safety Order
The Stay Home, Mask, And Otherwise Be Safe Order signed on July 2, 2020 prohibits gatherings of more than 10 persons and mandates that all individuals over the age of 10 must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth at all times. Please be advised that wearing a mask is not a substitute for maintaining six-feet social distancing and handwashing, as these remain important steps to slowing the spread of the virus.

COVID-19 Isolation Facility
Austin-Travis County established a COVID-19 Isolation Facility for those persons who need to self-monitor due to COVID-19 exposure, persons who may have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and have not been tested or are awaiting test results, and persons that tested positive for COVID-19. Staying at an isolation facility provides a free, safe place to recover and isolate without exposing family or roommates. Hotel rooms are free and amenities are provided at no cost. Call 512-810-7554 to inquire about reserving a room.

Austin Public Health’s Risk-Based Guidelines Chart Revised
Austin Public Health published a color-coded chart to help residents of Austin-Travis County understand the stages of risk and how to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The chart was adjusted to accommodate updates regarding hospital capacity and current data, one of the primary indicators on Austin Public Health’s Risk-Based Guidelines . The changes were made to the “Recommended thresholds: 7-day moving average of new hospital admissions” part of the chart.

Public Enrollment Form for COVID-19 Testing
Austin Public Health has an online enrollment form for COVID-19 testing . Use this free online assessment to pre-register for testing for you or a loved one and schedule a no-cost, drive-through COVID-19 test at a local Austin Public Health facility.


City of Austin Announcements

Survey for Austin Childcare Centers
The Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston, in partnership with the City of Austin and Austin Chamber of Commerce, is conducting a survey to learn more about experiences and needs of childcare centers in Austin in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please take the eight-minute Childcare Center Survey today. Your participation is completely voluntary, and all surveys and answers will be confidential.

How to Help: Connecting Volunteers and Donors to Local Organizations Responding to COVID-19
The City of Austin launched an online “How to Help” campaign to bring together the COVID-19 related needs of local nonprofit, faith-based, and government programs, inviting community members to contribute to the response. This hub shows opportunities to volunteer with or donate to local organizations aiding Austinites impacted by the pandemic.

ParkATX App & Affordable Parking Program
Beginning June 8, 2020, residents and visitors can use up to two free 15-minute parking sessions per 24-hour period through the ParkATX smartphone app. The parking sessions cannot be used concurrently and additional time past 15 minutes will be considered a typical parking session where the user will be charged accordingly. Download the ParkATX app today and use validation codes FREE15ATX1 and FREE15ATX2.
 
Austin Transportation also updated the Affordable Parking Program in partnership with the Downtown Austin Alliance with the addition of affordable daytime parking opportunities in select off-street garages.
RedistrictATX.org
Austinites can now apply to serve on one of two opportunities to redraw the boundaries of the 14 City Council districts. The redistricting process happens every ten years, coincides with the census, and will shape Austin’s future for the next decade. The Applicant Review Panel will select 60 of the most qualified applicants for the redistricting commission. Austin residents can apply at RedistrictATX.org .

Disparity Study for City of Austin Contract Opportunities
The City of Austin is conducting a Disparity Study of its Minority- Women-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) programs to ensure that M/W/DBEs have equal access to contracting opportunities. A disparity study involves compilation of evidence to determine whether the City has a strong basis for implementing race- and gender-conscious contracting remedies for its locally-funded contracts. The study will further examine factors necessary for entrepreneurial success, such as access to business capital, bonding, networks, suppliers and other resources.

News

City of Austin
 
State of Texas

Federal Government
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance please contact (512) 974-9053 or Relay Texas 7-1-1.