McAllen Chamber of Commerce and the City of McAllen awarding local small businesses $1.5 Million to speed economic progress this summer.
Texas Border Business
McAllen, TX – The McAllen Chamber of Commerce and the City of McAllen have awarded over $300,000 from $1.5 million in grants to reinvigorate local small businesses.
The Chamber and the City launched the initiative on June 1 to spark local small businesses to improve COVID-19 safeguards, launch online storefronts, ease necessary operating and inventory costs, assist with past due rent/utilities, and deploy marketing to reconnect with their community.
Over 49 McAllen small businesses have been awarded grants up to $10,000 from the initiative’s first round of funding. More qualifying businesses (non-franchisees) will be awarded grants immediately upon approval to take part in McAllen’s economic comeback.
“The response for the first round of McAllen COVID-19 Small Business grants has been huge,” said Steve Ahlenius, President and CEO of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. “The number of small businesses seeking assistance through the grant speaks to the scope and depth of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Due to overwhelming demand, McAllen quickly approved the second round of grant funding in the amount of $1.2 million. Many of the city’s local grown restaurants, salons, boutiques, home improvement stores, adult living facilities, coffee shops, print shops, and other favorites have already been awarded grants.
“Small businesses are the foundation of McAllen’s economic success. The City Commission and I wanted to provide assistance to McAllen’s small businesses in a quick and easy process to help businesses to reopen, hire employees and reignite our local economy,” said Mayor Jim Darling, Mayor of the City of McAllen.
The initiative to help small businesses adapt to today’s business climate is the latest example of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and the City of McAllen taking an active role in advancing their community’s economic interests. McAllen has led the Rio Grande Valley in employment, sales tax revenue, and new housing construction and sales for decades, which has resulted in higher quality of life for residents.
“McAllen is adaptable,” said Steve Ahlenius. “Small businesses are naturally responsive to the needs of their community. We’re committed to empowering them as we safely move ahead.”
Businesses can still apply at grant.mcallen.org.
About the McAllen COVID-19 Business Fund
The McAllen COVID-19 Fund has a total of $1,500,000 to assist small businesses located within the city of McAllen limits. Small business (non-franchisees) grants will be awarded to businesses that had lost revenue due to closing restrictions. Two key changes:
- $5,000 will be awarded in the second round of funding for all businesses that qualify.
- The gross revenue cap has been changed to $2,000,000 for the second round of funding.
Grants can be used to improve COVID-19 safeguards, launch online storefronts, ease necessary operating and inventory costs, cover rent or utilities and deploy marketing to reconnect with their community.
CONTACT: Steve Ahlenius, CEcD President/CEO
(956) 682-2871 steve@mcallenchamber.com
