The city of Colleyville launched in October another phase in its promotional initiative to benefit existing businesses located along the SH 26 corridor as construction continues on the major thoroughfare.

Over the coming weeks work crews will focus on placing pavement for new northbound lanes from north of Tinker Road to John McCain Road and installing storm drains on the east side of SH 26 from Church Street to Tinker Road, said Val Lopez, public information officer for the Texas Department of Transportation, in an email. Construction activity is also ongoing near the Little Bear Creek bridge.

To proactively support business that may be affected by the construction work, the city launched its Quarter 4 Promotion program.

Through December, businesses that collect sales tax along SH 26 can apply for up to $1,000 in grant funding to use for advertising campaigns, Assistant City Manager Mark Wood said during an Oct. 1 work session with City Council.

The Quarter 4 Promotion is similar to the city’s Quarter 1 Promotion initiative, Wood said; however, this time businesses have a chance to potentially double their grant funding to $2,000 by donating $500 to a qualified nonprofit organization. Advertisements must run by Dec. 31 and include “#ColleyvilleGives.”

“We’re calling this the Colleyville Gives campaign,” Wood said. “We’re incorporating a hashtag we’re going to encourage shoppers to use throughout the holiday season.”

Community feedback regarding the Q1P program has been largely positive with 80 businesses participating, Wood said in an email.

“Other than a couple minor requirements, the programs are intentionally ‘hands-off,’ because who knows better how to use the funds than the business owner,” he said.

John Doak, owner of Bark Avenue Market and Bakery, participated in the Q1P program, and he said he intends to continue in the new Q4P program.

“They want to keep dollars here [in the city],” Doak said. “We’re a small, local, mom-and-pop business, and any help they want to give us is appreciated. We’ll always take advantage of those kind of opportunities.”

From the city’s perspective, these initiatives seem to be effective as sales tax revenue climbed for seven consecutive months, and staff anticipates a 4 percent gain over the last fiscal year, Wood said.

“That is remarkable, especially with the largest road project in the city’s history going right through our main commercial corridor,” he said. “Hopefully the programs have helped increase awareness of the importance of shopping local first and provided some incentive for doing so.”

More information and applications for participation are available on the city's website.