Cedar Park: Business Leaders Issue Joint Statement In Support Of Wilco Forward Grant Funds For Small Businesses

Press release from Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce:

March 16, 2021

Today, the Williamson County Commissioners Court voted unanimously in support of allocating $10 million additional CARES Act assistance for the businesses hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic and that are still experiencing operating limitations. The funds will be distributed through the Wilco Forward grant program.

This newest round of Wilco Forward funds will provide direct cash assistance to qualifying businesses of $500/employee up to $10,000. Qualifying businesses are primarily bar, restaurant, hotel, and hospitality businesses; all industries most directly impacted by operational restrictions resulting from coronavirus mitigation. Applications will be available and accepted beginning Wednesday, March 17. Detailed information is available at www.wilco.org/forward.

The business community applauds the Commissioners Court for allocating resources to this effort and for targeting assistance to flow to the industries that have been most prevented from returning to normal operations. One year after the economic shut down, national economic growth continues to lag. Until vaccine deployment is much more widespread consumers will not fully return to normal activities. The impact of this is particularly felt by the bar, restaurant, and hospitality industries nationwide.

This round of funding is more limited in scope than earlier Wilco Forward grants provided for small businesses. We recognize the economic needs created over the past year far exceed the resources available for such programs. This was the case with local support programs, the previous Wilco Forward programs, and even federal stimulus programs including both rounds of the Paycheck Protection Program. We continue to advocate for additional local, state, and federal support for business.

All qualifying businesses in Williamson County are encouraged to apply.

Signed by the Chamber Presidents & CEO’s of the:

Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce
Georgetown Chamber of commerce
Hutto Chamber of Commerce
Leander Chamber of Commerce
Liberty Hill Chamber of Commerce
Round Rock Chamber
Taylor Area Chamber

This press release was produced by the Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed are the author's own.