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Austin
TCAD stands out in not appraising property values this year
The Travis Central Appraisal District stands alone among six districts surveyed in its decision not to update property appraisals this year, according to a special report by the Austin city auditor. The failure to update property values has caused considerable…
Austin • By Jo Clifton • May 5, 2020
Loan forgiveness, grants highlight recommendations to Council for economic recovery
The Economic Prosperity Commission has given City Council a list of suggested new programs and financial practices that are designed to assist low-income residents and small businesses most impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. At last week’s meeting the commission voted…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • May 4, 2020
City 'continues to work through' governor's order to slowly reopen Texas
Texas’ statewide stay-at-home order expires Friday, but the city of Austin has yet to clarify how this might affect local residents, how it will enforce the governor’s new order and what, if any, additional requirements the city will enact. “The…
Austin • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • May 1, 2020
Covid-19 is magnifying food insecurity – and the digital divide – in these Travis County ZIP codes
Children in 11 Central Texas ZIP codes are at high risk of food insecurity because of Covid-19, a new study finds. And the situation is further compounded by a lack of access to high-speed internet as they try to continue…
Austin • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Apr 30, 2020
Downtown survey shows small window for many businesses to reopen and recover
A large majority of business storefronts in downtown Austin are at risk of closure in the next two to three months without significant increases in commercial activity, according to a new study on the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 29, 2020
Travis County releases unemployment and financial transparency tracker
In addition to its toll on public health, Covid-19 poses an economic threat both to individual finances and to businesses. In Travis County, the Economic Development & Strategic Investments Department has rolled out a public dashboard to track the pandemic’s…
Austin • By Jessi Devenyns • Apr 27, 2020
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City, county to work with business on reopening Central Texas
County Judge Sarah Eckhardt, Mayor Steve Adler and Austin Chamber President and CEO Laura Huffman announced the formation of the Opening Central Texas for Business Task Force in a Zoom press conference on Thursday morning. The county, city and chamber…
Austin • By Nina Hernandez • Apr 24, 2020
Austin gets millions to deal with coronavirus
As the number of Covid-19 cases continues to climb, Austin and Travis County learned this week they would receive $170.8 million and $54 million, respectively, from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund to help local governments deal with the crisis. During…
Austin • By Jo Clifton • Apr 22, 2020
Commissioners Court approves community-generated emergency food contract
In an effort to simultaneously cut down on food waste and increase community access to food, the Commissioners Court unanimously approved a contract to provide supplemental emergency prepared food to Travis County residents. The $160,000 contract is the result of…
Austin • By Jessi Devenyns • Apr 22, 2020
City braces for cuts to cultural arts funding, citing likely drastic hotel tax drop
The city has advised local artists and cultural contractors to hold off on submitting proposals for the next cycle of Cultural Arts project funding because of a likely drastic cut in arts money due to the impact of the Covid-19…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 21, 2020
In 'survival mode,' Austin Pets Alive! flooded with community support
Visitors to the Austin Pets Alive! website are greeted by a pop-up message that says, “We are in survival mode and need your help.” The message redirects to a donation page called “Save Pets in Sweats,” which encourages community members…
Austin • By Nina Hernandez • Apr 20, 2020
Faith organizations take services online during the Covid-19 pandemic
The city’s stay-at-home order suspended in-person religious services, but that hasn’t stopped churches, mosques and synagogues from reaching their congregations during the pandemic. With all physical gatherings banned, faith communities are going online to practice. Congregation Beth Israel still hosts…
