Georgetown Chamber of Commerce

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Coronavirus

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to facilitate economic success for our community. The below is trusted information compiled of local, state and federal resources that businesses can check for ongoing updates.  

The information included on this page includes:

  • Businesses with Modifications to Services or Hours
  • Paycheck Protection Program
  • Economic Injury Disaster Business Loan & Recovery Guide
  • Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
  • Facebook Grant Program
  • Grant Program for Women’s Business
  • Regulation Updates (Information and Proclamations on Business and School Closures from City, County and State)
  • Business Resources (additional resources and best practices)
  • Temporary Job Announcements
  • Employee Resources
  • CDC Recommendations

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Businesses with Modifications to Services or Hours

The business section will be updated daily with Chamber members who have modified services or hours. Please visit us on Facebook and Twitter for notifications when updates have been made to these listings.

Governor’s Orders:

Wilco Forward (Williamson County Small Business Grant Program)

Williamson County announced their small business grant on May 5, 2020. The Williamson County program is open to the majority of small business and sole proprietors with 100 or fewer Full Time Equivalents. The maximum amount per business is up to $30,000. Williamson County has the application on their website at www.wilco.org/forward. The Chamber will link to more information as it becomes available.

PPP Loan Forgiveness Application

On May 19, the Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, released the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application and detailed instructions for the application.

Under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) created by the CARES Act, loans may be forgiven if borrowers use the proceeds to maintain their payrolls and pay other specified expenses.

The Treasury Department and Small Business Administration recently released the application form and instructions for loan forgiveness. The forgiveness forms, instructions, and worksheets can be downloaded here.

PPP borrowers must apply for loan forgiveness with the lender that processed the loan.

This guide is designed to help borrowers understand the process by which their loan forgiveness amount will be calculated and the overall approach of the loan forgiveness process.

View the PPP loan forgiveness application and instructions
Download the U.S. Chamber’s Guide to PPP Loan Forgiveness

Paycheck Protection Program

The CARES Act established a $349 billion SBA-backed Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to provide immediate access to capital for small businesses who have been impacted by COVID-19. The PPP is specifically designed to help small businesses keep their workforce employed and assist with payroll and other business operating expenses. It will provide critical capital to businesses without collateral requirements, personal guarantees or SBA fees. All loan payments will be deferred for six months. Most importantly, if employers maintain their payroll, certain portions of the loans can be forgiven, including payroll, interest on mortgage obligations, rent and utility payments. Loans will be available through more than 135 existing SBA-certified lenders in Texas, including banks, credit unions and other financial institutions.

Economic Injury Disaster Business Loan & Recovery Guide:

Take the steps to business recovery using the SBDC guide to track financial loss and apply for SBA’s economic injury disaster loan program. 

The SBA will work directly with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and non-profits that have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.  Due to the CARES Act, small businesses and non-profits can get up to a $10,000 advance on an Economic Injury Disaster Loan even if a previous application was declined or still pending. 

SBA Loan – Information About the Application Process

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

The CARES Act was passed by Congress on March 27, 2020. The programs and initiatives in the Act are intended to assist business owners and nonprofits with current needs due to the COVID-19 crisis. Following President Trump’s signing of the CARES Act, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Department of Treasury announced a robust mobilization effort of banks and other lending institutions to provide small businesses with the capital they need.

Employee Retention Tax Credit

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act created a new employee retention tax credit for employers who are closed, partially closed, or experiencing significant revenue losses as a result of COVID-19. This new employee retention tax credit is a 50% tax credit for the first $10,000 of compensation, including the employer portion of health benefits, for each eligible employee. Employers who receive a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan are not eligible for a tax credit.

Guidance Needed from Business Community

In conjunction with area Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development groups, policy makers, and other business assistance groups of the communities in Williamson County, we are conducting a new survey to ask for guidance about what businesses will need when some or all of the COVID-19 mitigation restrictions are lifted.

We understand that there are many surveys out right now seeking your input – but this one really is different. It is supported by the largest group of business assistance organizations in Williamson County. The information gathered will be compiled and relayed to decision makers as quickly as possible. Your responses will be used to inform decisions being made right now.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WilcoBusiness

 

Facebook Small Business Grants:

Facebook announces small business grants

Grant Program for Women’s Businesses Hurt by COVID-19:

Center for Women Entrepreneurs announces a $1 million grant program

Opportunities to Support Your Community During COVID-19:

Regulations and Notifications:

City News:

Georgetown ISD News:  

County News:

County and Cities Health District:

State News:

Federal News:

Employee Resources 

Basic guide to unemployment

For career and training assistance

Childcare information

File for unemployment

Texas online application for food stamps and other various sources of assistance programs such as help with childcare, cash assistance, and access to health care coverage

Temporary or Permanent Jobs

Click here for a list of job offerings from local employers.

Business Resources & Best Practices

Town Hall Meeting on Business Services and Employment Law

SBA’s Small Business Guidance and Loan Resources  

Answers to FAQ by Texas Employers

Customizable Workplace Flyer (Please open this file in the latest version of Chrome or Edge browser, or Adobe software, to customize.) 

Employer workforce Services 

Department of Labor Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 

Workforce Solutions Rapid Response (Layoff Assistance)  

Maintaining Hope During COVID-19 Social Distancing

Take out Food & Package Delivery: Is It Safe?

Working From Home: 5 Ways to Be Productive and Stay Sane

5 Ways to Work from Home More Effectively  

5 Tips for Staying Productive While Working from Home 

20 Tips for working at home  

Ted Talk – Why Working from Home is Good for Business   

Georgetown Economic Development Department’s Website  

CDC Prevention Guides, Plans & Info 

Limit the Spread of Germs and Prevent Infection 

  1. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. 
  2. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too. 
  3. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. 
  4. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. 
  5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. 
  6. Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. 

CDC resources on COVID-19 

Prevention Guidance & Response Plan: For Businesses and Employers – CDC recommended guidance for employers, including advice for developing a response plan and steps that all employers can implement now. Based on what is currently known about the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (Feb 2020) 

Implementation of Mitigation Strategies for Communities with Local COVID-19 Transmission 

Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations 

Preventing COVID-19 Spread In Communities: Schools workplaces & community locations 

Pandemic Guidance – A brief outline of how to prepare before and respond during a pandemic by Ready.gov, official website of the Department of Homeland Security. 

Reducing Stigma