GEDC approves financial assistance package
On Monday, April 13, the Gonzales Economic Development Corporation (GEDC) approved the COVID-19 business grant application detailing the financial assistance businesses within the city of Gonzales can apply for due to the hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Businesses can apply to receive $1,500 per “FTE Unit” or “full time equivalent” with the maximum cap of $12,000. GEDC approved grant funding of $500,000 total.
“A half million dollar infusion into our business community is not a small amount of money in Gonzales, Texas,” GEDC board President Andy Rodriguez told the Inquirer.
Applicants are required to enter into a performance agreement with the GEDC to ensure funding is used consistent with the Development Corporation Act. Failure to comply with the agreement would result in the applicant being required to reimburse to the GEDC the funds provided under said agreement.
Noted in the cover letter of the application is the 60-day waiting period for grant funding.
“Mayor Connie Kacir, along with other mayors in the state and legislators, such as Lois Kolkhorst, have asked Governor Abbott to lift the requirements of the 60-day waiting period so grant funding can be made available to our businesses immediately,” Rodriguez wrote. “If the governor does not lift or suspend the 60-day rule, the earliest date for those grant funds to be let will be June 1, 2020.”
Despite the wait, GEDC can still review grants for approval and have encouraged all qualifying businesses to apply for funding.
The application is available online on the city website as well as to the left of this article.
In other news:
- President Andy Rodriguez appointed Treasurer Larry Wehde and Mayor Connie Kacir on a subcommittee to do an internal audit of the GEDC books as well as reviewing the current loans.
- GEDC approved a resolution designating authorized signatories with the GEDC’s financial institution, a housekeeping move due to the new officers appointed.
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