15 Jul COA- Economic Development- Highlights-Resources
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| The City of Austin Economic Development Department announces a new relief grant for local arts and culture non-profit organizations facing hardships due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Austin Arts & Culture Non-Profit Relief Grant will help stabilize our local arts and culture organizations that inspire Austin’s creative ecosystem. Read our newsletter for more information about the grant and other resources. – Veronica Briseño, City of Austin Chief Economic Recovery Officer |
| Economic Development Department Highlights New Relief Grant to Support Arts and Culture Non-Profits in AustinApplication Period: July 14 at 10 a.m. – August 2 at 5 p.m.The Austin City Council approved Resolution No. 20210610-092 on June 10 to designate $2 million for the Austin Arts & Culture Non-Profit Relief Grant. Review the Austin Arts & Culture Non-Profit Relief Grant eligibility, required documentation, and more. The grant is funded through Austin’s allocation from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). It provides one-time unrestricted $20,000 grants to local arts and culture non-profit organizations facing hardships due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.Register for Austin Arts & Culture Non-Profit Relief Grant Webinar in English on July 15 at 11 a.m.Inscríbase para el seminario en línea sobre la subvención de ayuda para agencias sin fines de lucro de arte y cultura de austin el 15 de julio a las 1 p.m. Alternative Management Structures for Your Business The Economic Development Department’s Small Business Division invites you to learn about management that gives everyone involved more autonomy at work and how to transition from a conventional business structure to a cooperative one. Register to attend Democracy at Work: Improve Your Daily Work Life with Cooperative Management on July 21 from 6 – 8 p.m. Pitch Your Business at the Circular Austin Showcase The Circular Austin Showcase is a virtual pitch event hosting a diverse group of people from investor and business communities to support and inspire growth in the circular economy. Entrepreneurs and business owners will pitch their company to judges for a chance to win $3,000 and participate in one-on-one meetings with select investors to build their funding network. Attend the pitch event on July 28 at 6 p.m. New Arts Program Employs Local Artists Local arts education non-profit, Creative Action, announced the launch of Austin Safely Creates in partnership with the City of Austin. The program will employ teaching artists who lost employment or income due to COVID-19 and engage them in the creation of community-enhancing artwork. Learn more about Austin Safely Creates’ work in the community to promote positive mental health around the impacts of COVID-19. |
| COVID-19 Health, Safety, and Resources Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and resources from the City of Austin. Resources Get a COVID-19 vaccine Free Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vaccine Information Austin-Travis County COVID-19 Safety Guide for Venues & Special Events Austin Public Health Monitoring COVID-19 Delta Variant in Central TexasAs new COVID-19 variants continue to emerge, the latest variant, Delta (B.1.617.2), has now been detected in all 50 states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests the Delta variant may have higher transmission than the original virus and cause more severe illness and hospitalization for those who are unvaccinated. Austin Public Health is currently working with the state health department to expand testing. Visit the City of Austin’s COVID-19 website for more information about COVID-19 in Austin. For additional information on the Delta variant, visit the State Department of Health and Human Services and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention websites. COVID-19 Vaccination for Your Business or Household Businesses and community organizations can request an on-site COVID-19 vaccination clinic through local, state, and federal resources. City of Austin: Schedule a visit for you, your caregivers, and household with Austin Public Health by calling 3-1-1 or 512-974-2000 and leave your name and phone number. State of Texas: Call 844-90-TEXAS (844-908-3927) and select Option 3 to schedule a visit from a state mobile vaccine team to vaccinate employees, visitors, or members. Federal: Find a COVID-19 vaccine toolkit, text your zip code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233. COVID-19 Testing Mold. Pets. Pollen. Sometimes it’s just really hard to know for sure what’s causing your symptoms. It’s best to stay home and rest instead of conducting a real life science experiment on your friends. Still worried it might be COVID-19? Find a private COVID-19 testing site. City Update on Eviction Protection Order Beginning June 1, landlords intending to issue a Notice to Vacate to tenants with 5 months or more of owed rent can register with the City of Austin’s RENT Program. In accordance with Mayoral Order No. 20210527-030 (PDF), landlords are no longer prohibited from issuing a Notice to Vacate if their tenant has unpaid rent and has exhausted all available rental assistance remedies. Austinites in need of rental assistance can still apply to the Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants (RENT) Assistance Program. Travis County Emergency Rental Assistance The Travis County COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program is designed to provide relief to low- and moderate-income households residing in Travis County that are unable to pay rent due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Review eligibility and apply for Travis County Emergency Rental Assistance. Beware of Scammers Austinites are reporting scam calls that appear to come from Austin Public Health. The City of Austin will never ask for Social Security, Medicaid, insurance, immigration, or financial information! If you receive a call, get the caller’s name and title, then call 3-1-1 or 512-974-2000 to ask for that person. |
| City of Austin Announcements Resources for Residents ConnectATX COVID-19 ResourcesFood AccessUtility Bill ReliefResources for Job SeekersSmall Business Resources City Manager Proposes Balanced Budget to Invest in Community While Minimizing Impact on Austin Taxpayers City Manager Spencer Cronk presented his Proposed Fiscal Year 2021-22 City Budget recommendations to City Council on July 9. The proposed budget would maintain high-quality services and invest in critical infrastructure, while utilizing the smallest increase in tax and fees in the past five years. Learn more about the City’s Budget development process and get involved. Permitting and Development Center Now Open! The City of Austin’s new Permitting and Development Center is now open for both virtual and in-person services, available by appointment. The center houses the Development Services Department and its partner departments for a streamlined process for residential and commercial customers. Schedule your appointment at the Permitting and Development Center. City of Austin helps launch U.S. Plastics Pact Roadmap to 2025 Austin Resource Recovery helped launch the U.S. Plastics Pact’s Roadmap to 2025, a national strategy outlining how the U.S. Pact, City of Austin, and other government entities and organizations will achieve a circular economy for plastics in the United States by 2025. See how you can help Austin eliminate plastic waste. Austin Water Expands Affordability Initiatives Austin Water announced that low income Austinites living in apartments and other multi-family dwellings will see a new credit on their monthly utility bill. Eligible participants will automatically receive a maximum $200 a year credit, which will appear on monthly billing statements as the Austin Water Multi-Family CAP Program Discount. Share Your Thoughts on Interstate 35 Capital Express Central Project The Austin Transportation Department and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) invite residents to attend an in-person workshop regarding the I-35 Capital Express Central project. This project will add two non-tolled managed lanes in each direction along Interstate 35 from US 290 East to SH 71/Ben White Boulevard. The in-person workshop will be August 10 from 4 – 8 p.m. at Huston-Tillotson University, 900 Chicon St. Call TxDOT at 512-832-7000 for more information regarding this project. |
| Community Resources U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) COVID-19 Relief Options: Economic Injury Disaster Loan applicationsSupplemental Targeted Advance program Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) Grant programCommunity Navigator Pilot Program Government Contracting Webinar Interested in contracting with the federal government? Join the U.S. General Services Administration for a webinar on July 20 at 2 p.m. EDT to learn how to create an effective federal marketing plan with a targeted approach to government contracting. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for Small Businesses The IRS provides several resources for small businesses. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit is available to employers for hiring workers from groups who have consistently faced significant barriers to employment. The Gig Economy Tax Center provides information on how to report income earned from the gig economy on a tax return. If you’re working in the gig economy—also called sharing economy or access economy, your income is generally taxable, whether you work full-time, part-time, or get paid in cash. Small Business Tax Credits The American Rescue Plan extends a number of critical tax benefits, particularly the Employee Retention Credit and Paid Leave Credit, to small businesses. See if your business qualifies for federal tax credits. |