Governor Abbott Forms Texas Task Force On Concert Safety Following Astroworld Festival Tragedy
Governor Greg Abbott today announced the formation of the Texas Task Force on Concert Safety in the wake of the tragedy at Astroworld Festival in Houston that left at least ten concertgoers dead and injured hundreds of others. The task force will be led by Texas Music Office Director Brendon Anthony and will consist of safety experts, law enforcement, fire fighters, state agencies, music industry leaders, and others. The task force will hold several roundtable discussions to analyze concert safety and develop ways to enhance security at live music events in Texas. Following these meetings, the task force will produce a report of recommendations and strategies to ensure concert safety and protect concertgoers.
Music Friendly Community Spotlight: Grand Prairie's Make It To Main Street
The TMO-certified Music Friendly Community of Grand Prairie is now accepting applications for its battle of the bands competition where the winning band will perform at their annual Main Street Fest. They are currently accepting applications on their website. Deadline is January 20, 2022.
TEXAS MUSIC Plates Make Great Holiday Presents
The Texas Music Office's Music Education & Community Grant Program (aka the License Plate Grant) seeks to provide opportunities for the next generation of Texas musicians and to provide support for music programming in under-served and under-resourced communities. $22 from the $30 fee from the purchase of every Texas music specialty license plate goes directly toward providing music instruments and lessons to Texas school children in need around the state. In addition, this fund is able to partner with non-profit organizations to create experiences featuring Texas music in under-served communities statewide.
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Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Updates
The Small Business Administration announced the following major enhancements to the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program.
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Increasing the COVID EIDL Cap. The SBA will lift the COVID EIDL cap from $500,000 to $2 million. Loan funds can be used for any normal operating expenses and working capital, including payroll, purchasing equipment, and paying debt.
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Implementation of a Deferred Payment Period. The SBA will ensure small business owners will not have to begin COVID EIDL repayment until two years after loan origination so that they can get through the pandemic without having to worry about making ends meet.
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Establishment of a 30-Day Exclusivity Window. To ensure main street businesses have additional time to access these funds, the SBA will implement a 30-day exclusivity window of approving and disbursing funds for loans of $500,000 or less. Approval and disbursement of loans over $500,000 will begin after the 30-day period.
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Expansion of Eligible Use of Funds. COVID EIDL funds will now be eligible to prepay commercial debt and make payments on federal business debt.
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Simplification of affiliation requirements. To ease the COVID EIDL application process for small businesses, the SBA has established more simplified affiliation requirements to model those of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.
EIDL applications will close Dec. 31. Don't wait, apply while funds are still available!
Music Friendly Community Spotlight: Alpine's Artwalk Art & Music Festival
On November 19-20 in the TMO-certified Music Friendly Community of Alpine, TX, the 28th Artwalk Alpine will take place all over Alpine, including art exhibits all over downtown and two days of free live music on three stages.
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