COVID-19 Response and Information
The Brazos Valley continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation, and the Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation wants to ensure you have access to information and resources that will help if you or your company are in need during this time.
The team at the BVEDC stands ready to answer questions and address concerns of companies that call The Hub of the Texas Triangle home, as well as those who are interested in learning more about our community. Please visit our Staff page to find contact information for each of our staff members.
Your health and well-being is our primary concern. The Centers for Disease Control has a site wtih the latest guidelines to help keep you as safe and healthy as possible. Resources for businesses are available there.
Brazos County, the Cities of College Station and Bryan, and Texas A&M University have each set up pages on their websites with information to help residents and business owners.
The two cities' councils have approved grant programs to specifically assist small businesses during the COVID-19 situation.
- City of College Station Grant Program
- City of Bryan Grant Program (through the Brazos Valley COVID-19 Community Relief Fund)
Operation Restart is the answer to a charge created by both our cities' and county's leadership to provide a program that will assist businesses with guidelines, best practices and resources they need to quickly, effectively and, most importantly, safely restart their businesses based on Governor Abbott's Open Texas. Phase 1 of that initiative began May 1. Leadership from the City of College Station, the City of Bryan, Brazos County, the Brazos County Health District, along with representatives from the private sector, formed the Operation Restart Executive Advisory Committee, which put this charge into motion.
The Brazos Valley COVID-19 Community Relief Fund has been established. Through generous donations, small business payroll grants will be offered for those whose businesses have experienced severe interruption. The fund will also assist non-profits in the community to help individuals facing difficulties. It has been spearheaded by United Way of the Brazos Valley, the Community Foundation of the Brazos Valley, the Cities of College Station and Bryan, and Chris Field, the founder of Mercy Project and the B/CS Marathon. The BVEDC is proud to support this cause.
The Brazos Valley Council of Governments has resources available, including answering questions for employers and employees regarding unemployment insurance related to COVID-19. They are partnering with the Cities of College Station and Bryan to create a Bridge Loan Program to assist small businesses that have seen at least a 15 percent reduction in revenue due to COVID-19.
The Brazos Valley Small Business Development Center, part of the SBDC's Texas Gulf Coast Network, assists the small businesses of our community every day. The BVEDC is proud to be its community funding partner.
The Small Business Administration has set up a page with guidance and loan resources for small businesses during this time. Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to Texas small businesses.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship has provided guidance regarding the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and one of its provisions, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
Texas A&M University has pivoted its Disaster Relief Fund to assist students -- many of whom are employees of Brazos Valley businesses -- who are struggling financially. The fund has previously been used to help Aggies following major hurricanes.
The Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce is a hub of information and resources for our local business community. More than 1,500 businesses are Chamber members.
The Texas Workforce Commission has gathered resources for both employers and people seeking jobs in this time period.
The Office of the Governor of the State of Texas has set up a page with details on what Governor Greg Abbott and his team are doing in response, along with resources the state is making available.In mid-April, the Governor's Office announced $50 million in loans to Texas small businesses through the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. The loans will be made through the SBA's Paycheck Protection Program, and will primarily be used for payroll.
Also in April, Gov. Abbott announced his Strike Force to Open Texas. Made up of health and business professionals among others, the Strike Force's goal is to safely and strategically restart and revitalize all aspects of the state. The Governor's Report to Open Texas was released April 27.
On May 6, the Govenor's Office of Economic Development held a webinar for small businesses with information and advice to help during the pandemic. Video and the slide deck were made available after the event.
Also on May 6, Gov. Abbott and the OneStar Foundation announced the Texas COVID Relief Fund, which will provide funding and resources to organizations across the state working on the ground to support the economic recovery of local communities. Funds raised will be distributed through grants focused on the areas of community and economic development, healthcare and education.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has details on how it is handling the economic impact of COVID-19 on the nation, including the CARES Act and the PPP.
The U.S. Department of Labor is offering resources for workers and employees during the COVID-19 situation.
The U.S. Federal Reserve System has made resources available to help navigate through these times.
The Internal Revenue Service is providing tax relief information related to the pandemic and its effects to taxpayers and businesses. The tax filing and payment deadline has been extended to July 15.