Mario and Diego Rangel (right to left), owners of Kyle Landscaping Services, revitalized their business thanks to their ECAP assistance. Photo courtesy of the Greater San Marcos Partnership
Small businesses benefit with ECAP's first wave
Eighteen small businesses have been awarded funds up to $10,000 in the first wave of grant awards from the Hays County Emergency Cash Assistance Program (ECAP).
The ECAP Fund was initiated by the Hays County Commissioners Court to provide assistance to small businesses impacted by the economic fallout of COVID-19 shut downs. The $600,000 fund is a collaboration between the county, the City of Kyle, PeopleFund and the Greater San Marcos Partnership.
There are still additional applications under review by the nonprofit loan agency PeopleFund and the ECAP award committee.
Small businesses that have not yet applied for an ECAP grant yet are strongly encouraged to do so, said Barbara Thomason, the ECAP award committee coordinator and director of business retention, expansion and workforce at GSMP.
The $600,000 funding total includes contributions from Hays County and the City of Kyle. With eligible businesses receiving grants up to $10,000, there is still plenty left to distribute.
Funds are distributed on a first-come, first served basis until Dec. 31, 2020 or when funding runs out, whichever is first.
One benefiting business is Kyle Landscaping Services, a family-owned and operated landscaping business that was awarded $7,500 from the ECAP grant fund. The company saw a loss in business as multiple employees, including mechanics, contracted COVID-19.
“The ECAP fund has been a lifeline for our business,” said Diego Rangel, owner of Kyle Landscaping Services. “Without this grant, I would be with two broken-down machines and I’d be out two work crews.”
The employees who contracted COVID-19 have made a full recovery, Rangel said, and the company plans to use the grant to repair equipment and give bonuses and raises to his employees who have been able to return to work. With the repaired equipment, Rangel hopes to hire more workers and start running an additional crew.
“This is a great opportunity to start again,” Rangel said. “If I had not known about this grant, I would not have been able to sustain my business and create more job opportunities for guys looking for full-time work. This is one of the best things that’s happened to us this year.”
Applications are still being accepted for the ECAP grant fund. Full details about the program can be found at HaysCountyECAP.com.
