Funds are still available through Emergency Cash Assistance Program

We all know how difficult 2020 has been, not just on our residents in Wimberley, but also on our over 500+ businesses in the Wimberley Valley.

The Chamber has been heavily involved in getting the word out about Phase I and Phase II of the Emergency Cash Assistance Program (ECAP) since back in mid-October, yet not very many Wimberley small businesses have applied.

Phase I of the ECAP program required submissions that were a bit too stringent for small businesses, so the Hill Country Chambers of Commerce (Wimberley Valley Chamber of Commerce, Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce, Buda Chamber of Commerce, Kyle Chamber of Commerce along with the Greater San Marcos Partnership) requested the eligibility and requirements be reexamined by the Hays County Commissioners Court. In late October early November new, less stringent guidelines were put in place. These new guidelines are called Phase II of the ECAP program. Phase II is allowing small businesses with 10 or less employees* to apply or reapply. One of the most important aspects of the changes is that even if a small business has received EIDL, PPP or any other support, these businesses can and should apply regardless of previous support from other programs.

The Chamber, along with the City of Wimberley, Hays County, Hill Country Chambers of Commerce, and many others have been on the front lines working hard to make these changes happen so that any business in the Wimberley Valley and in all of Hays County can apply or reapply.

We implore you to apply! There is approximately $400K still remaining in the fund for local small businesses and it is imperative that you apply today. The deadline has been extended into 2021 until the funds are depleted.

Please review all the qualifications and requirements. The application is much easier to complete and can be found at https:// peoplefund.org/hays.

If you have any questions, please call the Chamber or the Greater San Marcos Partnership. The sooner you apply the sooner you may receive the much-needed support for your small business.