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Your Chamber is committed to supporting you during this challenging time! We want to keep you apprised of resources, policy updates and how you can help. This page will be revised regularly as new information becomes available.

We hope you stay healthy and proactive as we move forward together.

 

Read the latest from the City of Waco >

Ways to Support Waco

Make it in Waco - Brought to you by Creative Waco

Waco Delivers - Brought to you by the Waco Restaurant Association

Waco Working Together - Brought to you by Prosper Waco

Business Resources

Please show caution as you complete online applications.

SBA COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

UPDATE (4/16/20): SBA is unable to accept new applications at this time for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)-COVID-19 related assistance program (including EIDL Advances) based on available appropriations funding.

Applicants who have already submitted their applications will continue to be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. The EIDL 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.

The SBA is currently advising small businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19 apply for loans early.
This is an updated form of the application; you will click through the application.

U.S. Small Business Administration Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources

SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 webinars

Updated Guidance for Small Businesses on Completing Loan Applications:


Paycheck Protection Program | Download Application | Apply for Loan Forgiveness

UPDATE (2/23/21): On Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, the U.S. Small Business Administration will establish a 14-day, exclusive Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan application period for businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees. This will give lenders and community partners more time to work with the smallest businesses to submit their applications, while also ensuring that larger PPP-eligible businesses will still have plenty of time to apply for and receive support before the program expires on March 31, 2021. Read more >

UPDATE (1/8/21): The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Department of Treasury, announced that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will reopen on Monday, January 11, 2021 for new borrowers and some existing PPP borrowers. Read more >

UPDATE (12/21/20): Congress is expected to vote on a $900 billion economic relief package, which will then be sent to President Trump for his signature. The bill includes a number of important provisions. Details may be found in the following documents:

12.21 COVID-19 Relief Package-One Page Overview for Small Business

12.21 COVID-19 Relief Package-Small Business Section-by-Section Overview

12.21 Stimulus Fact Sheet for Small Business

UPDATE (7/6/20): The Paycheck Protection Program resumed accepting applications July 6, 2020, at 9:00 AM EDT in response to the Paycheck Protection Program Extension Act. The new deadline to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program loan is August 8, 2020. 

UPDATE (6/16/20): The SBA, in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, released the revised Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application and detailed instructions for the application. Further, the SBA, in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, released the PPP EZ Loan Forgiveness Application and detailed criteria and instructions

UPDATE (5/15/20): The SBA, in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, released the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application and detailed instructions for the application.

UPDATE (4/27/20): The SBA will resume accepting Paycheck Protection Program applications from participating lenders on Monday, April 27, 2020.

UPDATE (4/23/20): Congress is expected to pass an additional $484 billion, with a major portion to be allocated to help small businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic. Authorization could come as soon as today. Read more >

UPDATE (4/16/20): The SBA is currently unable to accept new applications for the Paycheck Protection Program based on available appropriations funding.

The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll.

U.S. Department of the Treasury

Access a list of local Banks & Banking Associations

Access a list of local Credit Unions


Employee Retention Tax Credit

Deferral of employment tax deposits and payments through December 31, 2020

Guide to the Employee Retention Tax Credit for COVID-19 Impacted Employers


Shared Work Plan | Submit Your Plan

The Shared Work Program offers Texas employers an alternative to temporary layoffs. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) developed this voluntary program to help Texas employers and employees withstand economic downturns.


U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Save Small Business Fund

UPDATE (4/22/20): Due to overwhelming demand, USCCF is unable to accept new applications. They are in the process of awarding grants.

The Save Small Business Fund is a grantmaking initiative offering short-term relief for small employers in the United States and its territories.

  • Eligibility requirements and the application can be found at savesmallbusiness.comThe application opens at 2 p.m. CDT on April 20.

City of Waco and McLennan County Small Business Recovery Fund | Learn more & apply

UPDATE (6/29/20): The application portal reopened today, June 29, and will remain open until July 13.

UPDATE (5/18/20): Application portal closed as of May 18, 2020.

The City of Waco and McLennan County together launched the Small Business Recovery Fund to support local, small businesses impacted by COVID‐19. The two entities contributed to the fund that will provide grants of up to $5,000 to small businesses with less than 10 employees.  To qualify for a grant, a business must be located and operating within McLennan County and have experienced a loss due to COVID‐19. Grants may cover various expenses including rent, mortgage obligations, payroll expenses and utilities. Applications will be available on April 29 at 9 a.m. and businesses are encouraged to apply quickly. Funds are available on a first come, first served basis. 

As Waco begins to reopen attractions and businesses, and tourism starts to return to the area, it is important to the community that we keep both our citizens and our visitors safe. The incidence of COVID-19 has increased over the last few weeks and we all want to do our part to slow the spread.

The Waco Safe Campaign is a two-way pledge.
Waco business owners are committed to keeping residents and visitors as safe as possible by implementing safety practices to limit the spread of COVID-19. We also respectfully ask our visitors to do their part by following recommendations and best practices for travelers.

This pledge is based on what we know now, and that may change. We will continue to stay informed of the latest information and adjust policies and procedures to keep our employees and patrons as safe as possible.

Learn more at covidwaco.com/waco-safe-businesses >

How You Can Help