Travis County (TCTX) Thrive Small Business Program is offering grants of up to $40,000 to qualifying businesses that have been financially impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Businesses will need to complete a pre-application to determine if they’re eligible for the program. If eligible, businesses will be invited to submit a full application. If awarded, the businesses who participate in TCTX Thrive Small Business Program will work with BCL’s small business coaches to create a Business Continuity Plan and will receive no-cost business coaching throughout the program period.
Travis County is providing these grants through the Coronavirus Relief Fund via the CARES Act. The Travis County Commissioners Court approved funding for this new small business grant program due to the unprecedented impact of COVID-19
How to get started with this program:
Before you begin, you must read all program guidelines on this webpage.
Submit the Pre-Application Eligibility Determination before July 10th, 2020.
Review application checklist and begin gathering required documents (the documents on this checklist are not required for the pre-application – this is just to help you prepare for when the full application opens).
After the pre-eligibility period closes, qualified businesses will be invited to submit a complete application.
There is a dedicated team available to respond to questions. For more information, you can call them at 512-994-2280 or email info@traviscountythrive.com.
Businesses must submit the Pre-Application Eligibility Determination before July 10th in order to participate in this program.
Eligible Businesses:
- Businesses located and headquartered within Travis County and further, located in unincorporated Travis County, in any city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), or in another city or village within the county outside the City of Austin incorporated limits.
- The business address identified on legal documents is used to determine the location of the business.
- Have no outstanding tax liens or legal judgments. If on a payment plan, must be current. Exceptions may be made for businesses that have outstanding recent quarter 941s or sales tax reports to the Texas Comptroller due to financial difficulties related to COVID-19.
- Have been in business since March 1, 2019
- Fewer than 25 Full Time Equivalent Employees on March 1, 2020
- Maximum net income of $500,000 annually
- Businesses that use a Social Security Number, Employer Identification Number, or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
Ineligible Businesses:
- Businesses located in the City of Austin incorporated limits
- Businesses located outside Travis County
- Non-profit organizations
- Self-employed contractor or gig worker eligible for COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) using Unemployment Benefits Services (UBS)
- National franchises (locally-owned franchises ARE eligible)
- Pyramid concerns
- Gambling concerns, including casinos, racing operations or other activities whose purpose involves gambling
- Pawn shops
- Real estate developers
- Investors
- Government entities/departments
- Hobby businesses
- Sexually oriented businesses (live performances, product sales, items or materials)
- Business started on or after March 2, 2019
- Businesses owned or partially owned by elected officials
- Concerns engaged in illegal activities
- Political and lobbying concerns
- Religious organizations
- Business suspended or debarred from doing work with the federal government
- Predatory lending businesses (businesses that provide loans for more than legal maximum or more than 10% per annum including all interest, fees and charges)