Emergency cash assistance program aids 92 Hays County small businesses
The Hays County Emergency Cash Assistance Program (ECAP) successfully awarded $600,000 in free grants to 92 small businesses throughout Hays County, helping to keep doors open and jobs intact throughout the region.
The ECAP fund, which was initiated by the Hays County Commissioners Court in late August, is a collaboration between the County, the City of Kyle, PeopleFund, and GSMP. The fund provided grants of up to $10,000 to qualifying small businesses on a firstcome, first served basis.
Of the 92 businesses assisted, 37 were from San Marcos, 18 from Buda, 16 from Dripping Springs/Driftwood, 14 from Kyle and seven from Wimberley. Businesses that demonstrated need specifically from the impact of COVID-19 received between $1,000 and $10,000, with the average business receiving $6,520. The businesses assisted were primarily in the industries of food and hospitality, retail, and health and beauty.
“Supporting and preserving our small businesses saves jobs vital to the financial stability of families and contributes to the economic wellbeing and recovery of our region during this challenging time,” said Barbara Thomason, Director of Business Retention and Expansion for GSMP and Coordinator of the ECAP Committee.
“If it wasn’t for ECAP, I don’t know where I would be,” said Carolina Garza, Owner of Big Rob’s Burgers in Kyle, which received $8,500 from the grant fund. “We didn’t get PPP funding on the first round and we were incredibly stressed on how to make ends meet. With ECAP, we were able to make rent, tweak our business model and avoid staff layoffs.”
The Greater San Marcos Partnership (GSMP) is the 501c6 regional economic development organization serving the city of San Marcos and Hays & Caldwell Counties, focused on positioning the region for a wider diversity of quality jobs with higher wages. The GSMP mission is to increase economic opportunities for all in the heart of the Texas Innovation Corridor. Visit greatersanmarcostx.com for more information.