Revive SMTX to provide local businesses with CDBG funds

San Marcos area businesses will be able to apply for Community Development Block Grant funds through a collaboration with the City of San Marcos and the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce.

Revive SMTX will allow applicants to receive up to $5,000 per business to use for operational safety, sanitation training, personal protective equipment and digital redesign for social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are excited about this opportunity to provide our local businesses with this money,” said Jason Mock, San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce president. “We hope the funds will provide some relief to the hard-working small business owners who help make this town unique and a place where we all love to live.”

According to the chamber, operational safety expenses include plexiglass dividers, restructuring of seating and improved air filtration systems to ensure safety and social distancing.

Sanitation training includes learning best practices for cleaning options, techniques, technology, products and services, the chamber said.

The chamber added that digital redesign includes set-up and implementation of e-commerce, contactless payment, online ordering and online reservation of services.

Additionally, funds can be used to reimburse any listed items purchased at the beginning of the pandemic, the chamber said.

To be eligible, a business must be located within San Marcos’ city limits, operate with less than 50 full-time employees and 51% of business’ employees must make less than $26.30 per hour, the chamber said.