Williamson County, Texas

The Williamson County Wilco Forward Small Business Grant Program has issued 3,509 grants as of Monday, June 29, totaling more than $33.2 million. Small business owners who have not submitted an application for a grant through the Wilco Forward program have until 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2020, to do so. Phase 1 targeted helping local small businesses through the creation of the Wilco Forward grant program with $35 million allocated to the cause. As part of Phase 2, the Williamson County Commissioners Court allotted $20 million to reimburse  Williamson County cities for COVID-19 related expenses. Additionally, $1 million was allocated to the Williamson County and Cities Health District for their COVID-19 expenses. Also included was $500,000 for Emergency Services Districts (ESD) and $500,000 for Bluebonnet Trails Community Services for COVID-19 related expenses. On June 23, $5 million was allocated for Phase III going toward community services that focus on rent or mortgage assistance and utility assistance. For details on eligibility and more on the Wilco Forward program visit https://www.wilco.org/forward. 

The Williamson County Justice of the Peace Court Precinct 3 (JP3) office has been working on innovative ways to offer its services to the public amid the COVID-19 pandemic. To help reduce the spread of the virus while also taking into consideration the safety and health of residents and County employees, JP3 will begin to offer curbside services on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at 100 Wilco Way, Georgetown, starting June 9, 2020. Customers will be able to drive up and make a credit or debit card payment without having to come into the building. In addition to making payments, residents also can drop off paperwork, such as driver's safety paperwork and community service hours. This service is offered in addition to their regular office hours at 100 Wilco Way, Georgetown.  

Williamson County and Family Emergency Room are once again accepting applications for people to be tested for COVID-19. Priority will be given to people who currently are exhibiting symptoms. Asymptomatic individuals, who are not displaying symptoms but have been exposed to COVID-19, also can request a test; however, they may be asked to wait until a testing time is available. All Williamson County residents wanting a COVID-19 test must first fill out the online assessment tool at https://forms.wilco.org/forms/COVID19Testing.   

Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s plan to safely and strategically reopen the Texas economy in phases, which is detailed in the Texans Helping Texans: The Governor's Report to Open Texas, reached Phase III Wednesday, June 3, 2020. Under this phase, all Texas businesses can operate at a 50% capacity, with some limitations. That includes restaurants, bars, sporting events, water parks, zoos and aquariums, salons offering services of any kind, among other establishments. The most recent changes were made effective immediately. A list of those can be found here.

The Williamson County Commissioners Court approved an additional $10 million of CARES Act funds, federally issued money for the COVID-19 response, to be allocated to the Wilco Forward Small Business Grant Program. The additional funds are needed to continue providing financial assistance to Williamson County small businesses impacted by COVID-19. In less than a month, the Williamson County Auditor’s office, responsible for reviewing the applications for the grant program, has approved 2,328 applications of the 3,280 that have been submitted up until Tuesday, June 2. Of the $25 million designated to fund the program, nearly $24 million in grants have been approved for business owners. Click here to apply before June 30, 2020.