WilCo Launches Program To Provide Grants To Small Businesses

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — Williamson County has launched its Wilco Forward program, which aims to provide grants for local business owners that have been impacted financially by the new coronavirus outbreak, officials announced on Tuesday.

Officials described Wilco Forward as an initiative developed by an appointed strike team that includes County Treasurer Scott Heselmeyer, Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey, and Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles.

"Our team worked with business and community leaders from across Williamson County to develop the Wilco Forward grant program,” Scott Heselmeyer said in a prepared statement. “We specifically made the application process as simple as possible to encourage businesses to apply.”

Officials noted the Williamson County Commissioners Court unanimously voted to allocate $25 million, from the more than $93 million CARES Act funds it received, to launch the grant program. Small businesses with fewer than 100 employees and sole proprietors can receive up to $30,000, officials added.

“The commissioners court felt very strongly about getting assistance to our small businesses as quickly as possible to help them recover from the effects of the coronavirus restrictions,” Commissioner Valerie Covey said in a prepared statement. “We will be processing applications as soon as they come in so that business owners can quickly receive Wilco Forward grant funds.”

The amount issued per grant will depend on whether the business was fully or partially closed due to the pandemic in March 2020, officials said. Both for-profit and non-profit businesses headquartered and located in Williamson County are eligible to apply, officials noted. Additional criteria and restrictions are available at www.wilco.org/forward.

“Our small businesses are the backbone of our economy," Commissioner Russ Boles added. "Now is the time for us to support them in any way we can.”

Applications will be submitted online through the county’s website at www.wilco.org/forward to the Williamson County Auditor’s Office. The application link will be active starting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6. The money will be issued as applications are processed until the $25 million budgeted funds are exhausted. The deadline to apply is June 30, 2020. After reviewing the information, anyone with questions can email those to SmallBusinessApp@wilco.org.