We will host a Virtual Webinar tuning into the state webinar Tuesday\, July 12 at 1 \;p.m. to invite all those approaching the first deadline for this grant process... the grant is first come\, first served. We will review the below information. \;Our goal is to get 20-40 businesses to complete the \;application. You are welcomed to do this on your own by registering directly with the state (see below). We just thought it might be easier doing it together. \;
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PROGRAM SUMMARY
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The Texas Travel Industry Recovery Program (TTIR) program is distributing the $180M in ARPA funds allocated by the Texas Legislature in the 3rd \;Special Session\, Senate Bill 8. These funds are to aid in the recovery of the Texas tourism\, travel\, and hospitality industry as a result of COVID-19.
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One-time payment to eligible Texas businesses that experienced an economic loss due to COVID-19.
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Reimbursement grants not to exceed $20\,000 for eligible expenses\, and funds will be paid on a cost-reimbursement basis.
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Grants may only be used to reimburse costs incurred within the time period\, beginning \;November 8\, 2021 through present day. Funds must be spent by December 31\, 2026.
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ELIGIBILITY
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To be \;eligible \;to apply for a grant award\, an applicant must represent a business that meets certain qualifying criteria\, including each of the \;following:
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\n - Arts\, Entertainment\, and Recreation industry businesses\, Accommodation and Meetings Industry businesses\, or Food Services and Drinking Places industry business (as determined by NAICS code).
\n - Private ownership (no publicly traded companies).
\n - Operates within the State of Texas.
\n - Business is open to the public or provides services primarily for in-person events.
\n - Can demonstrate negative economic impact due to Coronavirus Pandemic via a loss of total Texas sales\, and
\n - Business was in operation prior to January 20\, 2020.
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PRIORITY APPLICATIONS
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Prioritization of grant applications will be applied during application evaluation of the program. (First come\, first serve!)
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Priority Groups
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\n - Businesses that have received \;minimal or no federal aid due to COVID-19 \;(Legislature stipulated this in SB8)
\n - Veteran-owned businesses
\n - Businesses located in a QCT\, DDA\, or \;Rural Counties\, and
\n - Small Businesses \;(as defined by the Small Business Administration).
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QUALIFYING NAICS CODES
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722 \; \; \; \; \; \;Food Service and Drinking Places
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71 \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \;Arts\, Entertainment\, and Recreation
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7211 \; \; \;Traveler Accommodations
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7212 \; \; \;RV Parks and Recreational Camps
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5615 \; \; \;Travel Arrangement and Reservation Spaces
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561920 Convention and Trade Show Organizers
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312120 Breweries
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312130 Wineries
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312140 Distilleries
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ALLOCATIONS
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The grant program will process and award grants in 4 phases. \;Programs are anticipated to open for applications on the eligibility dates below at 8:00AM CST.
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Category 1 \;&ndash\; \;NAICS 312120\, 312130\, 312140\, 5615\, 561920\, 7212
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Allocation: a maximum of $8\,550\,000
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2\,800 establishments
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TIMELINE: July 5-31\, 2022
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Category 2 &ndash\; NAICS 71
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Allocation: a maximum of $34\,200\,000
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8\,500 establishments
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TIMELINE: August 1-21\, 2022
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Category 3 &ndash\; NAICS 7211
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Allocation: a maximum of $42\,750\,000
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6\,000 establishments
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TIMELINE: August 22-Sept. 11\, 2022
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Category 4 &ndash\; NAICS 722
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Allocation: a maximum of $85\,500\,000
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Over 50\,000 establishments
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TIMELINE: Sept. 12-Oct. 2\, 2022
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Category 5 \;&ndash\; if needed to expend any remaining funds
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ELIGIBLE EXPENSES
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\n - Payroll \;and covered benefits expenses and compensation of returning employees for lost pay and benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic\, compliant with 2 CFR 200.430 and 200.431\, the coverage of which mitigates financial hardship such as declines in revenues or profits\; and
\n - Only if less than $20\,000 of payroll costs and compensation are eligible under the grant:
\n - COVID-19 mitigation and prevention measures to enable a safe reopening\, may include\, not limited to: improvements to ventilation\, physical barriers or partitions\, signage to facilitate social distancing\, provision of masks or personal protective equipment.
\n - Rent\, leases\, and utilities\, to the extent the costs are compliant with 2 CFR 200.465 and 2 CFR 200.472.
\n - Expenses in these categories must be related and reasonably proportional to the extent of harm experienced\; uses that bear no relation or are grossly disproportionate to the type or extent of harm experienced would not be eligible uses. All uses must be compliant with applicable federal and state guidance.
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APPLICATION PROCESS
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All applications will be submitted electronically in the web portal (launching soon).
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Must submit program application and documentation to prove compliance with grant eligibility requirements for funding.
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\n - Texas Sales and Use Tax Returns 01-117 or 01-114
\n - Most recent quarterly Tax Form 941
\n - Invoices for reimbursement
\n - Veterans Service or Benefits Letter
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Approved grantees will receive their grant via \;mailed paper check.\n\n
Upcoming Webinars
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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:
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Tuesday\, July 12 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.\, CT
\nBreweries\, Wineries\, Distilleries\, Travel Arrangement &\; Reservation Services\, Convention &\; Trade Show Organizers and RV Parks &\; Recreational Camps Webinar (NAICS 312120\, 312130\, 312140\, 5615\, 561920 \;and 7212) \;
\nREGISTER
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Wednesday\, July 20 \;| 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.\, CT
\nArts\, Entertainment and Recreation Webinar (NAICS 71)
\nREGISTER
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Thursday\, August 11 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.\, CT
\nTraveler Accommodation \;Webinar (NAICS 7211)
\n(Registration for this webinar opens August 2)
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Thursday\, September 1 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.\, CT
\nFood Services and Drinking Places \;Webinar (NAICS 722) \;
\n(Registration for this webinar opens August 2)
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