Through its Wilco Forward program, Williamson County reduced the threshold to apply for the second round of small-business grants aimed at food, drink and lodging industries.

The program offers financial assistance to food services such as restaurants, food trucks and caterers, bars, and hotels/motels that were financially impacted due to closures and occupancy restrictions due to COVID-19. In Wilco Forward Phase 2, a business can receive up to $500 per employee with a maximum amount of $10,000 if eligible. Previously, proprietors had to prove a 25% loss in average monthly gross revenue in 2020 from 2019. Now, businesses only have to prove a 10% average monthly gross revenue loss.

The Williamson County Commissioners Court approved the change during its March 30 meeting. It approved allocating $10 million to the program in March.

Interested businesses can sign up here. The deadline to apply is April 16.