State grant program helps business hit by COVID-19

A new grant program through the Office of the Governor could provide up a one-time issuance of up to $20,000 each to local businesses who were negatively impacted by COVID-19.

The Texas Travel Industry Recovery (TTIR) Grant Program began accepting applications on Wednesday, July 6, and while its core impact will be with the tourism, travel and hospitality industry, there are a number of businesses in Gonzales which could be helped by it.

“Because of the name of the grant, some businesses might not realize they are eligible to apply,” said Jennifer Kolbe, executive director of the Gonzales Economic Development Corporation. “The Gonzales Economic Development Corporation (GEDC) encourages all eligible establishments impacted by COVID-19 to apply for these funds.”

Industries eligible for TIIR assistance include arts, entertainment, and recreation; food services and drinking places; traveler accommodation; RV parks and recreational camps; traveler arrangement and reservation services; convention and trade show organizers; breweries; wineries; and distilleries.

As COVID-19 started becoming prevalent in Texas in mid-to-late March 2020, many businesses — especially small ones centered around the service industry — found themselves having to shut down for weeks at a time due to concerns about the spread of the virus. Kolbe said it had a colossal impact on the Gonzales business community and led economic development officials to seek ways to help lessen the blow.

“It’s fair to say we were all caught by surprise by the impact of the business shutdown,” Kolbe said. “Gonzales, through the GEDC, was one of the first economic development corporations in the region to develop and deploy a grant program focused on businesses with fewer than 25 employees. This action helped many businesses we enjoy patronizing today survive and minimized the loss in both property and sales tax revenue.

“This new round of funding through the Texas Travel Industry Recovery Grant Program can help them strengthen their financial positions and help prepare for any future pandemics or disasters.”

The TTIR program will issue a one-time grant of up to $20,000 to eligible Texas businesses. Applications will be accepted in phases by industry group. Below is a listing of application timelines, based on business NAICS code:

• Category 1 – July 6-31, 2022:

NAICS 312120, 312130, 312140, 5615, 561920, and 7212: Examples of these codes includes distilleries, brewers, wine makers and travel agencies.

• Category 2 – Aug. 1-21, 2022:

NAICS 71: Examples of these include performing arts companies, musical groups, sports teams along with promoters, managers, independent artist writers and entertainers.

• Category 3 – Aug. 22-Sept.11, 2022:

NAICS 7211: Examples of these are hotels, casino hotels, bead-and-breakfast, and inns.

• Category 4 – Sept. 12-Oct. 2, 2022:

NAICS 722: Example of these are special food services, mobile food services, restaurants, cafeterias, grills buffets, buffets and snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars.

• Category 5 – If funds remain after the first four phases a fifth phase will revisit any unfunded applications to award the remaining funds.

The Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office will host a series of webinars for specific industry groups to provide more information and answer questions on the program and application process.

To register for the webinars and for eligibility and grant application details, deadlines, and more, go to https://ttir.gov.texas.gov/Home/Signup.