Jan 19, 2021
THIS IS THE SECOND WEEK OF THE 87TH TEXAS LEGISLATURE
  • Last week, both the House and Senate adopted rules and procedures controlling access to their meetings.
  • Masks will be required in the building and a negative COVID test will be required to participate in Senate meetings.
  • Lt. Governor Patrick announced Senate Committee assignments on Friday.
  • Lastly, the Capitol will be closed Saturday, 1/16, through Wednesday, 1/20, due to ongoing threats identified by DPS.

We'll continue to update our valued partners on the 87th Texas Legislature. In the meantime, if you have a question or concern please reach out to us here.
SHUTTERED VENUE OPERATORS GRANT
Did you miss the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant webinar on January 14, 2021? It's been recorded and currently available on SBA's YouTube channel. Watch this archived webinar for a preliminary overview of the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program included in the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act signed into law by President Trump on December 27, 2020. 

GUIDES AND RESOURCES FROM THE U.S. CHAMBER
DESTINATION ANALYSTS PRESENTATION

Watch the latest Destination Analysts presentation about consumer sentiment toward travel, events and marketing.
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.

You don't want to miss these upcoming event for
your business.

JAN 21 2020 IS OVER, NOW WHAT? HR EXPERTS TALK COVID-19,
COMMUNICATION, REMOTE WORK, AND MORE After such a difficult year, HR teams, employers and employees must rebuild the camaraderie lost due to pandemic fatigue, closed offices, and worker burnout. This 3 hour webinar will offer lively discussion on safety technology, communication obstacles, Covid-19 vaccination policies, recruitment and more. Register Now.

JAN 21 UNDERSTANDING THE SAVE OUR STAGES ACT: HOW MUSIC VENUES APPLY FOR SBA PANDEMIC ASSISTANCE The Governor's Office of Small Business Assistance is partnering with the Texas Music Office to connect Texas small businesses in the music industry with vital recovery resources. Attendees will learn about recent legislation that can help their business, such as the Save Our Stages Act, and other pandemic assistance available through the U.S. Small Business Administration. Register Now.

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.

JAN 26 SBA SURETY BOND GUARANTEE PROGRAM WEBINAR We would like to invite you to attend our upcoming Surety Bond Guarantee Program Webinar that will be held Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. This one hour webinar will cover details regarding our SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Program and how it can help small contractors and subcontractors obtain bonding on reasonable terms. Please click here to join the meeting.

JAN 29 TEXAS ECONOMIC OUTLOOK PANDEMICS AND THE TEXAS ECONOMY: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas will host its annual Texas Economic Outlook on January 29 virtually. At this event, Keith Phillips, assistant vice president and senior economist, will release the Dallas Fed’s 2021 forecast for Texas employment growth and share more details on the factors likely to influence Texas in 2021. Texas Economic Outlook will provide business and community leaders from across the state of Texas with the most up-to-date economic information to help them make informed business decisions. Register Now.