COVID-19 Updates: December 16, 2020
Economic Development Department Highlights

Austin SAVES Fund to Distribute COVID-19 Relief Dollars to Local Live Music Venues
Application Open: December 11, 2020 – January 11, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
The Austin City Council established the Save Austin’s Vital Economic Sectors (SAVES) Fund through Ordinance No. 20201001-052 to support local industries. Through the SAVES Fund, the Austin City Council adopted the final guidelines for the $5 million Austin Live Music Venue Preservation Fund on December 3, 2020 via Resolution No. 20200103-013.
As part of a partnership with the City of Austin, the Long Center for the Performing Arts will provide application assistance, process applications, and administer funds. Eligible live music venues must be located in a City of Austin City Council District; must meet the City’s definition of a live music venue; must have significantly reduced operations since March 2020; and must meet or exceed the City’s COVID-19 safety guidelines. Learn more and apply for the Austin Live Music Venue Preservation Fund.

Austin SAVES Fund to Distribute COVID-19 Relief Grants for Childcare Providers
Application Open: December 15, 2020 – January 15, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
The Austin City Council established the Save Austin’s Vital Economic Sectors (SAVES) Fund through Ordinance No. 20201001-052 to support local industries. Through the SAVES Fund, the Austin City Council designated $5 million for the Austin Childcare Provider Relief Grant through Resolution No. 20201015-73.
The Austin Childcare Provider Relief Grant provides immediate and equitably-focused one-time financial assistance to eligible center-based and home-based childcare providers. Providers may apply for grants up to $60,000 per site toward payroll, rent relief, operational costs, and other eligible COVID-19 related expenses. Learn more and apply for the Austin Childcare Provider Relief Grant.
COVID-19 Health & Wellness Support Line: 1-888-855-7483
The COVID-19 Health & Wellness Support Line provides confidential 24-hour short-term counseling and support to Austin workers and families whose mental health has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Health and Wellness Support Line with Alliance Work Partners is funded through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and will close on December 30, 2020 due to CARES Act requirements. Low and moderate-income employees working in customer-facing industries like food and beverage service, retail, hospitality, and personal services (i.e., barbershops, salons, residential cleaning, etc.) are highly encouraged to access this free resource. Learn more about the COVID-19 Health & Wellness Support Line.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
Visit the AustinEconDev YouTube Channel and watch the latest on City programs for artists, musicians, and small business owners.
City issues Request for Proposals for the 5.5-acre Ryan Drive Site
On October 8, 2020, the City of Austin issued a Request for Proposals for the approximately 5.5-acre, city-owned property at 6909 Ryan Drive. Building on previous community outreach, the City worked throughout the past year with the community and stakeholders to refine development options for this future mixed-income housing development. The City, community, and stakeholders also established minimum development criteria for the site related to affordable housing, parks and open space, and community/commercial space, as well as pedestrian and bicycle access improvements to the Crestview MetroRail Station. Learn more about the solicitation for Ryan Drive.
Austin Art in Public Places 2021-2023 Pre-Qualified Artist Pool Open Call
Artists and artist teams are invited to apply for the Austin Art in Public Places 2021-2023 Pre-Qualified Artist Pool now through January 7, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Selected artists may be contracted to create artwork for eligible projects throughout Austin. The artists budget ranges between $30,000 and more than $500,000.
TEMPO 2021
The TEMPO 2021 temporary public art exhibition offers paid opportunities for practicing visual artists or artist teams to design, fabricate, install and de-install short-term or time-based exterior artworks, including murals. Austin area artists are encouraged to submit a Request for Proposals by Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
Businesses invited to Apply: City of Austin’s [Re]Verse Pitch Competition
Austin businesses that have surplus material or by-product waste are invited to apply to become a material supplier at the sixth annual [Re]Verse Pitch Competition, a social innovation program hosted by the City of Austin’s Circular Economy Program and Austin Young Chamber. As material suppliers, local businesses will pitch their surplus material to innovators and entrepreneurs who will develop a new product or business idea using the material. Businesses that are selected to become material suppliers could see a reduction in their waste output, a decrease in their disposal costs, and have a positive social and economic impact in Austin. Apply for the [Re]Verse Pitch Competition.
Strategic Planning Conducting a SWOT Analysis for Creatives and Creative Non-Profits
The creative sector needs a good strategic plan to be successful, and a good strategic plan begins with a robust SWOT analysis. SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, which are the internal and external factors that influence your organization’s potential for success. In this webinar, you will learn how to conduct a comprehensive SWOT analysis, and how to use it to establish your organization’s goals and a strategy for achieving success. This webinar is hosted in partnership with the Economic Development Department and BiGAustin. Register for Strategic Planning Conducting a SWOT Analysis
COVID-19 Updates: November 30, 2020: Free and Not so free COVID testing sites
|