Jan 8, 2021
TEXAS BUSINESS LEADER SURVEY
Texas 2036 wants to hear from business leaders across the state on what your top issues are. This anonymous survey will be available until end of day on Tuesday, Jan. 12. To take the survey, follow the link below.
EARLY DATA PREDICTS WEAKER MONTHLY JOBS REPORT
The main December jobs report is Friday, but we got some advance data today from the payroll company ADP. ADP found payrolls declined 123,000 in December. There was weakness across all sectors.
By the numbers: The ADP figure could portend a weak jobs report on Friday from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), although the two don’t always align. BLS has shown job growth every month since April.

Bottom line: The ADP report is another indicator that the resurgence of the virus late last year has taken an economic toll.

—Curtis Dubay, Senior Economist, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
PANDEMIC RELIEF INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans
Click here to view the U.S. Chamber's new Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans with the latest information and answers to FAQs about the changes that have been made to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) Program as part of the end-of-year pandemic relief package Congress has passed. We encourage you to share this resource with your members and networks as you see fit and will continue to make updates as more information becomes available.

Summary of 501(c)(6) Eligibility in Pandemic Relief Package Expansion of PPP
Click here to view the U.S. Chamber's summary of the extension of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) in the Pandemic Relief Package as it pertains to the eligibility of 501(c)(6) organizations.
CO— Pandemic Relief Small Business Update (12/22) Recording
On December 22, 2020, the U.S. Chamber's CO— hosted a Pandemic Relief Small Business Update during which executive vice president and chief policy officer Neil Bradley shared more about what the new stimulus bill will mean for the small business community. If you weren't able to join the program, or would like to watch it again, please click here to view the recording.
U.S. CHAMBER COVID-19 VACCINES FAQ
As you know, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently granted emergency use authorization for COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna. As states begin to prioritize, allocate, and distribute the first doses, the U.S. Chamber has created a new COVID-19 Vaccines FAQ one-pager to answer the common questions being asked by Americans—and especially business leaders.

Click here to view the one-pager with accurate and current information about the vaccine allocation process, expected timelines, and what it all means for the road to recovery. The U.S. Chamber will continue to update this resource as new information becomes available.
CONNECT ABILENE COMMUNITY SURVEY
The City of Abilene is currently updating its Comprehensive Plan. This document helps the City set priorities for infrastructure and other improvements over the next 5 to 10 years. Help us make Abilene an even better place to live, work, and play. As a concerned citizen, the City takes your views very seriously. Please take some time to answer this survey and help guide future decisions. Your answers will remain anonymous. The survey will take approximately 20 minutes.
WHAT WE'RE READING

Thinking Big About Small Business Advertising

Learn how multiscreen advertising has never been easier, more affordable and more critical to reaching customers and growing your business.



How To Overcome Fear To Produce Your Dream Life

Fear seems to have a strong root in most of our lives. It produces negative beliefs about who we are and what we’re capable of. That’s why you have to learn how to overcome fear to produce your dream life.
You don't want to miss these upcoming event for
your business.

JAN 13 INTRODUCTION TO GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING The Federal Government spends over half of a trillion dollars on goods and services each year. States and local governments spend 1.5 trillion dollars on goods and services cumulatively each year. This webinar covers the basics of doing business in the public sector at all levels. Register here.

JAN 14 UPDATES ON PPP LOAN AND EIDL PROGRAM Join SBDC CARES Act Coordinator, Kenny Heaton as he covers the basics of what is required to qualify and apply for the PPP loans plus, the extension of the EIDL program. Register here.

JAN 26 CYPERSECURITY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES: THE FUNDAMENTALS This "Cybersecurity for small business: The Fundamentals" webinar is intended to share the "how to's" of cybersecurity as recommended by NIST, the National Institute of Standards and Technology. You, your team, company or community group will learn the steps for understanding cybersecurity, the risks and steps to mitigate them. Presented by SBDC Business Counselor, Manzel McGhee and CARES Act Coordinator, Kenny Heaton. Register here.