Texas Travel Industry Recovery Grant Program

The State of Texas Office of the Governor is now accepting applications for the Texas Travel Industry Recovery Grant program. The program is funded by $180 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and provides a maximum $20,000 one-time grant to qualified, COVID-19 impacted businesses in the following industries: arts, entertainment, and recreation; food services and drinking places; traveler accommodation; RV parks and recreational camps; traveler arrangement and reservation services; convention and tradeshow organizers; breweries; wineries; and distilleries. 

Applications will be accepted in phases by industry group as defined by its numerical North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code, as described below.

Application Timelines:

• Category 1 – July 6 to August 7, 2022: Breweries (312120), Wineries (312130), Distilleries (312140), Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services (5615), Convention and Tradeshow Organizations (561920), and RV Parks and Recreation Camps (7212)
• Category 2 – September 1 to September 22, 2022: Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)
• Category 3 – October 1 to October 22, 2022: Traveler Accommodation (7211)
• Category 4 – November 1 to November 22, 2022: Food Service and Drinking Places (722)
• Category 5 – If funds remain after the first four phases a fifth phase will revisit any unfunded applications to award the remaining funds.

For more information, please visit https://gov.texas.gov/business/page/texas-travel-industry-recovery-grant-program

Employers Needing Essential Workers
Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas

If you are an employer needing essential workers, Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas is available to assist. Call them at 214-302-5555 and they can help you find the essential workers you need.

Jobseekers

For immediate and ongoing access to job matching services go to www.workintexas.com and the Dallas Regional Chamber's Jobs for Displaced Workers.

Unemployment Benefits  

Summary

If your employment has been affected by COVID-19, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits. The state recommends you apply online for benefits, but applications can also be accepted over the phone by calling 800-939-6631.

Governor Abbott announced the week of March 16, 2020 that he has instructed Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to waive the normal waiting period, and work search requirements.

Eligibility

To qualify for unemployment benefits in Texas, you must have worked in Texas during the past 12 to 18 months and have at least a minimum amount of wages as required by state guidelines. You must also be able to work and available to work, although the state has waived the provision that you must be looking for work each week that you request benefits.

Contact

Go online at https://www.twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/unemployment-benefits-services or call 800-939-6631 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Central Time Mondays through Fridays. 

Shared Work Program

 

As an alternative to layoffs, TWC is encouraging employers to enroll in the Shared Work program. A voluntary program, it was developed as a way to help Texas employers and employees withstand a business slowdown, such as occurred due to COVID-19. Under this program, an employer can supplement an employee's lost wages because of reduced hours worked with partial unemployment benefits.

To read more about the Shared Work program, or to apply, visit https://twc.texas.gov/businesses/shared-work.

Small Business Financial Resources

The federal government offered a variety of programs to provide COVID-19 relief for businesses. Most of these programs are no longer accepting applications; however, the SBA is still processing PPP loan forgiveness applications. For more information about SBA programs, please visit https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options

Dallas' Small Business Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) have resources and loan products to assist businesses:

• Business & Community Lenders of Texas: For more information click here.
• DreamSpring: For business loans, click here.
• Lift Fund: Up to $50,000; apply online here.
• PeopleFund: Quick turnaround, disaster assistance loans; for more information click here.
• National Development Council (NDC) Small Business lending, click here.

Third-Party Grants and Loans

Third-parties are providing grants and loans to small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Please note we are providing for informational purposes only.

Google Support for Small- and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs)

Google is supporting small- and medium-sized businesses around the world that have been impacted by COVID-19. They are doing this in a variety of ways, from providing access to capital, Google ad credits, and more. For details click here.

Hello Alice COVID-19 Resources

Hello Alice is inviting small business owners to submit applications for their general Business For All program, which offers mentorship opportunities as well as grants up to $50,000 in support of long-term business growth. Applications are open through September 25, 2020. For details click here.

Revive Dallas Small Business Relief Fund

The Dallas Entrepreneurship Center Network (DEC), in collaboration with LiftFund and the private business community, has launched the Revive Dallas Small Business Relief Fund to support local small businesses in jeopardy due to COVID-19. Zero percent (0%) loans up to $25,000 will be provided and will be combined with other non-monetary resources. A priority has been placed on providing funding to minority- and women-owned small businesses. Please note that the window for pre-qualification applications has closed. For more information click here.

Verizon Small Business Recovery Fund

In partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Verizon is investing $2.5 million for grants of up to $10,000 to entrepreneurs impacted by COVID-19, especially entrepreneurs of color, women-owned businesses and others in historically underserved communities who don't have access to flexible, affordable funding. For the most recent round of funding, applicants were to be notified by September 18, 2020 via email. More information can be found here.

Support Local Restaurants

You can support local restaurants by ordering take-out or delivery. For a list of participating restaurants, click here.

As new information is received we will update this page, so please check back.