Coming back to life!

Volume 060420 | June 5, 2020

Your weekly news & updates

I was delighted to get to attend the groundbreaking and see the progress on the RCR Taylor Logistics Park out on 3349 at 79 yesterday. It is shaping up to be an impressive site and we are looking forward to the businesses this new venture is going to bring to Taylor.

While I AM terribly excited by this new Taylor business, I have to tell you that I was absolutely thrilled to see faces that I haven't seen in far too long. Like so many of you, I am eager to see people again and return to some kind of normalcy.

Speaking of that, we heard from Governor Abbott Wednesday afternoon that he is initiating Phase 3 of reopening Texas. Here's what that means...

Almost all businesses can operate at 50% capacity.
Restaurants (already at 50%) can increase the number of people sitting at a table from six to 10 on June 12. On that same day, they can ramp capacity to 75%
Bars can immediately go to 50% as long as customers remain seated.
There is no occupancy limited for churches and houses of worship, local government operations, child care services, youth camps and recreational sports programs for youths and adults.
The following out-door areas and events can operate at no more than 50% normal operating limits: professional, collegiate or similar sporting events; swimming pools; water parks; museums and libraries; zoos, aquariums, natural caverns and similar facilities; and rodeos and equestrian events.
For other outdoor gatherings estimated to be in excess of 500 people, imposing restrictions falls to the county judge or mayor in consultation with public health authority.
Salons and barbershops can operate at more than 50% as long as there is 6 ft of social distancing between work stations. This also applies to massage therapists, tanning salons, tattoo and piercing studios, etc.
Amusement parks and carnivals can operate up to 50% of normal operating limits except in counties with more than 1,000 cumulative cases of COVID-19 which have to wait until June 19 to do so. Williamson County falls in the first category as of this writing with 649 cumulative cases.

So you will know the order (which can be found here) notes that staff members are not included in determining operating levels except for manufacturing services and office workers.

We are just $550 from our goal of raising $100,000 PLEASE help us reach it.

To donate via PayPal, click here and then click the DONATE button. If you'd like to donate by check, you should make it out to Taylor Chamber of Commerce with Covid-19 Relief Fund in the memo and either drop it off at Citizens National Bank or send it in the mail to the Chamber at 1519 N. Main St., Taylor, TX 76574 an

Thinkin' 'bout cookin'?

The Chamber is working with the City with hopes of hosting the 42nd annual Taylor International BBQ Cookoff on Aug. 21-22 in Murphy Park.

This year's event may have see us spreading out a bit or limiting the number of cookers but the fun will be limitless and we hope you'll sign up

On Friday night cookers and the public can compete with their margaritas and desserts and kids from around the community can throw down their best grilled cheese sandwiches for a chance to win.

Unlike the Saturday jackpot categories of beans and sauce, participants Friday evening do not have to be entered in the cookoff meat categories.

Find the rules and sign up forms here.

Look here for sponsor information.

How many is 50% occupancy?

As we transition to re-opening some businesses at 50-75% occupant load, some restaurants and businesses may have questions about what their occupant load is. To calculate your business's occupant load, go to https://www.wilcopermits.com/occupantload.

Information & Education

Independence Day fireworks

American Legion Post 39 proudly announces that it will be providing a fireworks show this year and need donations to make that happen.

Mail to

American Legion Post 39

PO Box 727,Taylor, TX 76574

Or donate on line at taylortxlegion39.org also Facebook.com/grahamdluhn

Click the Image above to learn about the event.

Third Thursday returning...

Get ready to step out in downtown Taylor on Thursday, June 18, at the return of Third Thursday shopping events.

Plan to come out! We have some new businesses in town that would love to meet you and many of the businesses that you already know and love have some extra fun things planned.

Complete the Census!

You should have received your Census form in the mail a couple of weeks ago. Please take 10 minutes and fill it out online or on your electronic device.

Census data is used to determine allocation of grants and other financial assistance for communities, political representation and businesses use it to determine if their operations are appropriate for certain areas.

It won't take long, just do it! (Please!)

We want to hear your good news!

Watching out for outstanding businesses and above-and-beyond customer service is more important than ever! If you have a story to tell us about either one of these, please email it to president@taylorchamber.org. If the business is a Chamber member, we will pass the story along to our Ambassadors who choose the recipients of our monthly awards.