Texas Travel Industry Recovery Grant Program

Starting September 1-15, 2023, a new application category will open for the Texas Travel Industry Recovery Grant (TTIR) Program. In accordance with Senate Bill 30, signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott following the 88th Legislative Session, each approved program applicant may now receive up to $250,000 in total from the TTIR Program. The Category 6 application round will give applicants the opportunity to apply for the higher threshold of funds.

The TTIR Program was originally established by Senate Bill 8 and signed into law by the Governor following the 87th Legislative Session to administer $180 million of funds received from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Type of Incentive
The TTIR Program was established to provide one-time reimbursement grants for the recovery of Texas businesses in the tourism, travel and hospitality industries that were negatively impacted due to COVID-19. These one-time grants are to reimburse eligible costs to these qualifying businesses.

Who Can Apply?
As in previous categories, applicants in the travel, tourism and hospitality industries (as determined by eligible NAICS code) who were negatively impacted by COVID-19 are able to apply in Category 6.  Basic qualifying criteria for a prospective applicant includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• In operation prior to January 20, 2020
• Operate in the State of Texas
• Privately-owned for profit business or non-profit organization
• Open to the public or provide services for in-person events
• Business or organization in the eligible NAICS codes listed for the travel, tourism and hospitality industries (NAICS codes 71, 722, 7211, 7212, 5615, 561920, 312120, 312130, 312140, 532111, 487990, 487210, 487110, 485510, 483212, 483114, 483112, 481211, 481111, 512132, 512131)
• Suffered negative economic impact due to COVID-19
• Otherwise eligible to receive this grant funding and not barred from competing for federal awards, including the guidelines on government-wide suspension and debarment in 2 CFR part 180 or for any other reason.

Required Documents
Applicants who have not previously been approved or awarded for the TTIR Program must create a new application under Category 6. New applications must submit include the following documents where applicable. Legible photocopies, scanned documents, and digital photos of documents are accepted in lieu of original documents.

I. One of the following:

2019, 2020 and 2021 Texas Sales and Use Tax Return 01-117 or 01-114; OR one of the below forms for 2019, 2020 and 2021:

• Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax Report (Comptroller of Public Accounts Form 12-100)
• Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (IRS Form 990)
• U.S. Individual Income Tax Return (IRS Form 1040)
• U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return (IRS Form 1120)
• U.S. Return of Partnership Income (IRS Form 1065)
• Texas Franchise Tax Annual Report (Comptroller of Public Accounts Texas Franchise Tax Form(s))
• Texas Mixed Beverage Gross Receipts Tax (Comptroller of Public Accounts Form 67-100)

Applicants submitting an IRS Form 990N must submit a Profit and Loss statement containing total revenue for the reporting period. The Profit and Loss statement must be signed and dated by an organization officer substantiating the information. The Form must also be accompanied by the 990N attestation form.

A mixture of State and Federal tax forms cannot be submitted to meet this documentation requirement.  Instead, applicants should choose one type of form (i.e., Comptroller of Public Accounts Form 12-100 or IRS Form 990; not a combination thereof). In the case of a change in business type a combination of federal forms may be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

II. Most Recent Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return (IRS Form 941) or a memorandum indicating why the entity is not required to file an IRS Form 941.
III. Invoices/payroll records for reimbursement
IV. Veterans Administration Service or Benefits Letter
V. Other documentation as required by for other submitted expenses.

Applicants re-applying for additional funds will only be required to upload additional expenses to their application. All previously provided information will transfer from their original application created during Categories 1-5. An applicant may certify their Category 6 application without uploading additional expenses if they believe the previously provided expense documentation may already meet the $250,000 maximum award threshold.

Eligibility Details
Applicants who received an award during Categories 1-5 are eligible to reapply for funding under Category 6. Those who previously received funding are eligible for up to $250,000 in total funds, which includes the amount of their previous award. For full eligibility details and eligible costs for reimbursement, please refer to the FAQs page.

FAQs PAGE

Application
Category 6 will open on September 1, 2023 at 9:00 am CT and will close on September 15, 2023 at 5:00 pm CT. Applications will be open to the following NAICS codes.

Funds will be awarded to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until the funds are exhausted. Applications will be reviewed by staff for completeness and eligibility. Before applying, applicants should review the required documents listed on the online portal.

Launch the TTIR Portal Portal Instruction Video

Prior Webinar

Watch the playback of the January 19, 2023, webinar for more on background, eligibility and application process.

Watch January 19 Webinar

For questions contact the TTIR Program staff at tourismrecoverygrant@gov.texas.gov or call 512-463-2111. You may also download the TTIR Program one-pager in a PDF format.