Noticias
SBA Announces Reopening of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
The SBA has announced the reopening of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan for new & existing borrowers. This round of PPP authorizes up to $284 billion in potentially forgivable loans that can be applied to job retention & certain expenses thru 3/31/21. New applicants can apply for PPP loans through SBA approved "7a" lenders including many Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). As with prior rounds of PPP funding, borrowers may be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness.
Federal Income Taxes & Your Unemployment Benefits
Getting ready to prepare your 2020 taxes? If you received unemployment benefits and/or pandemic unemployment assistance (PUA) benefit's, make sure to view the Texas Workforce Commission's info on how federal law requires reporting all of the benefits as taxable income. “Unemployment benefits are taxable income reportable to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) under federal law. You must report all unemployment benefits you receive to the IRS on your federal tax return," notes TWC.
VIDEO - Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Webinar
On Thursday, January 21, the Texas Music Office + the Office of the Governor's Small Business Assistance Team co-hosted a webinar about the SBA's new SHUTTERED VENUE OPERATORS GRANT. Watch an archive video of the entire webinar, including the Q&A session wherein attendee's questions about the grant were answered. The slide deck from the webinar presentation is also included here.
Texas Music Mixtape: Interview w/Cody Canada, MusicFest’s John Dickson, & Brendon Anthony
On Wed, January 20, the TMO’s Texas Music Mixtape was joined by Red Dirt country music singer/songwriter Cody Canada, MusicFest founder/producer John Dickson, & TMO Director Brendon Anthony to discuss “The Years: a Musicfest Tribute to Cody Canada & the Music of Cross Canadian Ragweed." During the conversation, we learned: the origins of popular destination Texas music fest, how the numerous artist collaborations at the fest come together, & what's the magic formula that keeps artists like Canada, Jamie Lin Wilson, Courtney Patton, Reckless Kelly, Randy Rogers, & countless others coming back each year, performing to capacity crowds that sell-out tickets a year in advance.
Texas Music Mixtape: 2020 Dallas Observer Music Awards Winners
On the TMO’s Texas Music Mixtape TODAY, Wed, 1/13 at 2:30 pm CT we featured a few of the recently announced award winners from the 2020 Dallas Observer Music Awards! DFW artists featured include: Jacks Haupt (Best New Artist), Dezi5 (Best Song), Coach Tev (Best EP for “COTY”), Randy McGill and Eclectic (Best Jazz Act), Ottoman Turks (Best Group Act), Larry Gee (Best Pop Act), Power Trip (Best Metal / Hardcore), and Justin Pickard (Best Americana Act). LISTEN every Wednesday in Austin on KOOP Radio 91.7 FM, or from anywhere in the world via TuneIn, Amazon Alexa, or via KOOP’s web player.
Governor Abbott Announces Brenham Designated As Music Friendly Community
Governor Greg Abbott today announced that Brenham, having completed the multi-step certification process, has been designated as a Music Friendly Community by the Texas Music Office (TMO). The Music Friendly Community program seeks to foster music business economic development in Texas cities and communities. TMO Community Relations & Outreach Specialist Chip Adams presented the Music Friendly Community designation to Brenham Mayor Milton Y. Tate, Jr. on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 during a virtual certification ceremony in partnership with Visit Brenham.
FREE WEBINAR - Understanding the Save Our Stages Act: How Music Venues Apply For SBA Pandemic Assistance
The Texas Music Office + The Governor's Office of Small Business Assistance will co-host a FREE webinar for Texas small businesses in the music industry concerning pandemic recovery resources. On Thursday, January 21 at 1 pm CT, webinar attendees will learn about recent legislation that can help their business, such as the Save Our Stages Act, and other pandemic assistance available through the U.S. Small Business Administration. Industry experts, Blayne Tucker and Curtis Monroe will join us to discuss the application process currently under development for the recently passed Coronavirus Relief and Omnibus Agreement, which includes $15 billion in dedicated funding for live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions. Our panel of experts will be available to answer questions live during the webinar.
Fort Worth Public Library & Austin Public Library seeking local musicians to add to their Amplify 817 and Electric Lady Bird streaming music programs
The Fort Worth Public Library & Austin Public Library are both seeking local musicians to add to their respective Amplify 817 and Electric Lady Bird streaming music programs. Click to learn the application process for both programs that are exclusively available to musicians and artists in the Fort Worth and Austin metro areas.