COVID-19 Resources

Our community is united. The Terrell Economic Development Corporation continues to serve as the advocate for local businesses and a champion for a stronger Terrell. Please reach out to share your input and ideas as we work to serve you and other businesses in our community.

Have a document or link to add to this page? Please send it to talana@terrelltexas.com.

PRINT a COVID-19 Prevention flyer to post at your business per the reopening guidelines from the State.

State, County & Local Latest Actions

Visit the Open Texas website for always up-to-date information and checklists for reopening Texas.

6/3/2020: Governor Abbott Announces Phase 2 to Reopen Texas, which states that every business establishment in Texas shall operate at no more than 50 percent of the total listed occupancy of the establishment, with some exceptions. Also, effective immediately restaurants may begin seating tables of up to 10 individuals and beginning on 6/12, restaurants can increase to 75% of max occupancy. Read the full GA-26 order.

5/18/2020: Governor Abbott Announces Phase 2 to Reopen Texas, which includes reopening day cares, personal care services, and bars, as well as others. Effective this Friday, 5/22 restaurants can operate at 50% total occupancy.  Read the full GA-23 order.

5/5/2020: Governor Abbott Issues Executive Order to Reopen Additional Businesses in Texas, including salons, barber shops, tanning salons. Businesses must follow guidelines. Wedding services and receptions at venues can resume at 25% capacity. The order also states that gyms, manufacturing facilities and offices can reopen with limitations on May 18. Read the full executive order.

4/27/2020: Governor Abbott Issues Executive Order to Reopen Texas that allows restaurants, retailers, malls and theaters to reopen on May 1 at 25% capacity. Museums and libraries can also reopen at 25% capacity, but hands-on/interactive exhibits must remain closed. Barbers, salons, bars and gyms must remain closed. Read the plan, which includes checklists for businesses and customers.

4/17/2020: Governor Abbott Issues Executive Order Establishing Strike Force To Open Texas. He also issued orders that:

• Establish a temporary "Retail-To-Go" model that will allow retail outlets in Texas to reopen beginning Friday, April 24. Read guidelines for retail-to-go.
• Mandate schools — including public, private, and higher education institutions — will remain closed for the 2019-2020 school year. Teachers may go into the classroom for video instruction, to perform administrative duties, and to clean out their classrooms.
• Loosens restrictions on surgeries put in place by Governor Abbott in March. Beginning at 11:59pm on April 21 through 11:59pm on May 8, all licensed health care professionals and all licensed health care facilities must continue to postpone all surgeries and procedures that are not medically necessary to diagnose or correct a serious medical condition of, or to preserve the life of, a patient who without timely performance of the surgery or procedure would be at risk for serious adverse medical consequences or death as determined by a patient's physician. Read full order and exceptions.
• Directed state parks to reopen on Monday, April 20 with strict guidelines to reduce transmission of COVID-19 – including requiring visitors to wear face coverings, maintain a six-foot distance from individuals outside of their party, and prohibiting the gathering of groups larger than five.

3/31/2020: Texas Governor, Greg Abbott, extends social distancing measures through April 30; closes schools until May 4.

Kaufman County Issues Shelter In Place Order, effective 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, 3/25/2020 through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, 4/8/2020.

Terrell City Council passed Resolution 964, which extends the state of disaster for the City, adopts the Kaufman County Shelter-In-Place Order, gives the City Manager authority to make determinations on "essential businesses", and enforces daily purchasing quantity limits. You can read the resolution here. 

Funding and Loan Assistance

On 3/20/2020, Governor Abbott announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has now granted Texas’ Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) assistance declaration, making loans available statewide to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations to help alleviate economic injury caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Next Steps: Small businesses who believe they may be eligible for an SBA EIDL should visit the SBA’s website where they can directly apply for assistance. The online application is the fastest method to receive a decision about loan eligibility.

Read the U.S. Chamber's Guide to SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loans.

Main Street Lending Program

On April 9, 2020, the Federal Reserve announced the creation of a Main Street Business Lending Program. The program will support small and mid-sized businesses that were in good financial standing before the public health crisis. This facility will ensure credit flows to small and mid-sized businesses that may not have been supported through the Paycheck Protection Program or the Fed’s other lending facilities.

Grant Opportunities

Many of the grant opportunities that we previously shared have now closed and been removed from this list. If we learn of new grant opportunities, we will post them here.

• Business for All -- small business grant opportunity

Other Resources

• This week, April 13-17, the SBA Houston District Office will provide the latest information from SBA to help small businesses with their economic recovery from the effects of the Coronavirus. We will give an overview of the (EIDL) Program & Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) as well as information on how to apply and where to seek additional help. View schedule and webinar details to join.
• Disaster Assistance: The SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to help businesses and homeowners recover from declared disasters.

• Local Assistance: SBA works with a number of local partners to counsel, mentor, and train small businesses.
• SBA Dallas/Ft. Worth District Office
• Trinity Valley Small Business Development Center: a free, local resource for existing or start up small businesses.
• Federal Reserve: Commercial Paper Funding Facility to support the flow of credit to households and businesses

• Our banking and financial advisor members are ready to help business owners understand SBA funding and loan options.
• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has information on how to protect yourself financially from the impact of Coronavirus.

• SBA Lender Match: Connects Small Business with Participating SBA-approved Lenders

Legislation 

• COVID-19 Business Resource Page (Facebook): This members-only group is established to allow our Chamber businesses to easily access and share resources as we support one another through the COVID-19 outbreak.
• Terrell Area Take-Out & Delivery Options: Join this group to view the menus and take-out/delivery options provided my our Terrell area restaurants and caterers.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• City of Terrell
• Kaufman County
  • Kaufman County Office of Emergency Management

References:

• Coronavirus Paid Leave Programs: Employer Guide (from U.S. Chamber of Commerce). It includes info on temporary paid sick leave and FMLA that are 100% reimbursable by the government.
• The Texas Workforce Commission has a banner at the top of their website that links to COVID-19 info for Employers and Job Seekers.
• OSHA: Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
• Harvard Business Review: What Are Companies' Legal Obligations Around Coronavirus?
• Texas Department of Insurance: visit their site for insurance-related questions on COVID-19.
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS):
  • COVID-19 General Info
  • IRS Payment Plan
  • IRS Payment Deadline Extended: Filing and Payment Deadline Extended to July 15 
  • IRS New Employer Tax Credits
• OSHA's Response to Workplace Safety and Coronavirus Exposure

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

• The U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Combating Coronavirus
• U.S. Chamber Disaster Help Desk 
• Coronavirus Small Business Guide
• Economic Injury Disaster Loan Guide
• Emergency Loans Guide and Checklist for Small Businesses
• Guide to Coronavirus Paid Leave Programs
• Employee Retention Tax Credit Guide
• Coronavirus Response Toolkit

SCORE

• SCORE has chapters throughout Texas and provides in-person and virtual counseling and mentorship. They have also published resources and information to support small business, including: 
  • • The COVID-19 Economic Impact: Will Business Interruption Insurance Help (& What Are My Other Options)?
  • • How Small Businesses Can Prepare for the COVID-19

Print & Post:

• The President's Coronavirus Guidelines for America
• Workplace Tips for Employees

• Terrell Independent School District
• Poetry Community Christian School
• Southwestern Christian College
• Trinity Valley Community College

Other

• The Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA) provided guidance to those directly or indirectly impacted.
• Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are an alternative source of finance for small businesses. For additional information, please visit with each organization: 
  • PeopleFund
  • LiftFund
  • BCL of Texas
  • Opportunity Finance Network: CDFI Locator Tool
• National Restaurant Association: Coronavirus Information and Resources
• National Retail Federation: Coronavirus Resources for Retailers
• NFIB: Small Business Resources in Response to Coronavirus
• Texas International Produce Association: COVID-19 Update

Communities & Individuals

Communities

• Resources Guide to COVID-19 for Government Leaders
• Office of the Governor COVID-19 Executive Orders
• Texas Department of State Health Services: COVD-19 Communication Tools

Familes/Individuals

• The North Texas Behavioral Health Authority (NTBHA) is accepting applications for Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) for households which have been financially impacted by COVID-19. Approved households may receive up to 3 months of rental assistance and utility assistance. Please assist us in getting this information out to your community. Access the application.
• Info from IRS on Economic Impact Stimulus Checks
• IRS People First Initiative, easing payment guidelines
• Center for Disease and Control (CDC): COVID - 19 
• Helpful Information for Renters
• Meals for Kids
• TxSchools.gov: Meals for Students
• School Meal Finder (map)
• Help with Electric Bills
• TXU Energy Provides Customer Assistance During Coronavirus Pandemic
• AT&T - Stay Connected
• Suddenlink - Keeping You Connected
• Spectrum COVID-19 Update
• Texas Workforce Commission (TWC): Visit their website for resources available to  employers and job seekers impacted by the COVID-19.

• • Resources for Job Seekers 
    • If an individual’s employment has been affected by COVID-19 they may apply for benefits either online by using the Unemployment Benefits Services (UBS) or by calling TWC at 800.939.6631 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday – Friday. UBS can be accessed at any time. For additional information, visit TWC’s website.
• Texas Workforce Commission has also compiled a list of resources for child care.
• List of banks offering help to those impacted by Coronavirus through things like payment deferrals, waived penalties, and more.