2021 Legislative Priorities
The TDA Board of Directors recently approved a legislative agenda for the 2021 Texas Legislative Session.
As an organization we are dedicated to monitoring legislation at the state and federal levels and keeping members informed.
Download 2021 TDA Legislative Agenda
Pandemic Recovery - Ideas from other communities
Texas
The Single Mother's Alliance offers an opportunity to support single moms by using thier delivery services for groceries or food delivery.
A local design group has created the Y'allmanac to help Austinites support local businsses.
Bastrop EDC has created a packet of information related to the development of their small business grant program including details about how they were able to work within existing legal framework to allow direct support to local businesses.
The City of Rowlett has started the Rowlett Business Stimulus Grant Program to provide immediate, short term assistance to small businesses.
The Still Budaful Stimulus Plan was developed by the City of Buda and the Buda EDC to assist local businesses impacted by the pandemic.
LOVE HUTTO 2020 is a community-based campaign to care for and support the most vulnerable during the COVID-19 crisis. Purchase the Love Hutto 2020 shirt for $10, and Everything Hippo will make a $5 donation to Helping Hands For Hutto or the Hutto Resource Center. Any additional items purchased will be matched with a donation, making a $10 donation and providing two meals!
The Mineral Wells Area Chamber of Commerce is encouraging its members to "maximize downtime for a more powerful comeback" with ideas of how to keep employees working and support other local small businesses.
Backstage Graphics in Longview is printing t-shirts featuring local business logos and sharing profits with the local businesses. #HereforGoodETX is their hashtag.
Historic Downtown McKinney is using their electric passenger shuttle to deliver food and more from downtown businesses to local residents.
Blue Baker in College Station is selling Baker Bonds, to be redeemed in the future, as a way to support their staff and business now.
The Cen-Tex African American Chamber of Commerce in Waco has created a community-wide small business bingo game. Customers are invited to connect 5 squares and be entered into a drawing for a $250 gift basket.
Denton Main Street is maintaining a list on their website of downtown business offerings and hours.
Corpus Christi Downtown Management District and the City of Waxahachie are allowing downtown businesses to block spaces for curbside pickup. CivicBrand has created blank Instagram story templates for both cities/districts and customers of small businesses. Just add your location tag at top and then tag local businesses.
City/District version
Resident/Customer version
Forney EDC is sponsoring meals for first responders via local restaurants.
Commercial Bank of Texas is extending payments and working with small businesses owners during the crisis in communities across the state.
Freckericksburg City Manager Kent Myers has relaxed code enforcement of certain regulationsthat don't impact public health or safety, like allowing businesses to erect banners to advertise to go and delivery food options without acquiring a permit from the City.
Rosalind Coffee in Downtown Garland has started a program that allows customers to sponsor barista shifts or donate tips to staff.
Mexia EDC created a graphic with tips for small businesses and their digital profile.
Jacksonville Economic Development Corporation is splitting the tab on employee lunches for small business for orders of $100 or more. (Does not include alcohol or gratuity).
Something Social in Georgetown is creating prints of the small businesses in the area. All proceeds from sales go to support the businesses.
Another Georgetown resident created an extensive list of what restaurants are offering take out and delivery services.
Round Rock has started a fund to support local small businesses. The City, Round Rock Community Foundation, Round Rock Chamber of Commerce, and Dell Technologies each contributed $25,000 and encourage the community to contribute as well.
Other States
Visit Beaufort (SC) has created a scavenger hunt featuring local landmarks. Find them on Instagram @visit_beaufortsc.
Corinth (MS) has created a mile long walking tour featuring 60 different sights. They've developed a pdf guide that people can download from their website.
The Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce (IA) started a campaign called Buy-In Clear Lake to encourage support for local businesses. When a customer spends $20 they get a gift card for $30. The program is being supported by other residents and businesses. So far they've raised over $25,000 for small businesses.
The #RustonGiftCardChallenge (Ruston, LA) is an online campaign to support local. Individuals are challenged to buy a gift card from a local business, share on social media, and challenge two friends to do the same.
A Louisiana grocery chain is featuring dishes from shuttered New Orleans restaurants.
Rally for Restaurants encourages people to purchase gift cards from local restaurants and challenge friends to do the same.
Multiple cities across the US have developed programs to assist local artists, as outlined in this article from Next City
The Newberg Support Local Challenge (Newberg, OR) is offering utility rebates to reward shopping local.