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Tag Archives: Economic Development Department

City opens up grants to help legacy businesses hit hard by Covid-19

A new city program set to go live next week will give long-running hospitality businesses throughout the city another possible source of Covid-19 relief. The first round of the Legacy Business Relief Grant, which was designed to help restaurants, bars,…

City lays out diversity goals in next round of arts, tourism funding

Groups that have been historically overlooked and underrepresented in the city’s cultural community will have priority in the Economic Development Department’s spending for cultural and tourism programs in the next budget year. During an online meeting held last Saturday, the…

City moves on plan to create AEDC, commissions consider board appointments

The city continues to move forward with plans to create the Austin Economic Development Corporation and expects its 21-member governing board will be decided by late January. At their Dec. 7 meeting, members of the Music Commission discussed a Nov.…

Austin opening up relief program for live music venues affected by Covid-19

Austin’s ailing live music venues have been thrown a lifeline ahead of the year’s end. The city will begin accepting applications Friday for short- and long-term grants through the Live Music Preservation Fund. The money, which the city says it…

New SAVES programs face uncertain funding

The city has started nine programs in nine months to help local Austin businesses survive the pandemic. On Thursday, City Council will consider final program guidelines for three more programs providing relief for child care providers, local music venues and…

Austin music venues won't get Covid relief money until next year. They say they're running out of time.

Jeannette Gregor was shaking, her voice quivering. “I am not a public speaker. This is actually kind of a nightmare for me – especially after about five months of isolation and no social contact,” she said back in September. “So…

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Staffers explain how Covid relief funds were disbursed

This summer, City Council rushed to provide economic relief to small businesses and nonprofits shouldering the burden of closures during the first few months of the Covid-19 pandemic. On Thursday, as they ratified a contract with the Better Business Bureau…

Questions arise about how BBB administers grants

At Tuesday’s City Council work session, Mayor Steve Adler asked Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, the acting director of the Economic Development Department, to explain what went into the selection of the Better Business Bureau to administer nearly $26 million in federal emergency…

Economic Development Department outlines plans for $12M creative space bond, creation of Austin EDC

The Economic Development Department outlined its plan for a $12 million creative space bond and a city-owned economic development corporation that could help it along at a joint meeting of the arts and music commissions Friday. The city launched a request…

City opens grant program to assist creatives impacted by Covid-19

Artists and workers involved in the city’s creative economy can apply today for $2,000 awards from Austin’s new Creative Worker Relief Grant program. The program, which has $3.5 million in total funding, is the latest spun up by the Economic Development…

Report lays out possible structure for new economic development corporation

A consultant’s report recommends the city move to create an economic development corporation modeled after existing bodies in New York City, Philadelphia and Atlanta to allow for fast and flexible development deals around the city. The report from QBL Partners…

Council wants 'bridge aid' for residents, businesses ahead of federal COVID-19 help

City Council directed staff to move quickly in the coming weeks to allocate direct payments and other forms of aid to residents and small businesses that have taken a severe financial hit from the COVID-19 pandemic. A wide-reaching item passed…

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