Colleyville City Council passed a resolution at its June 15 meeting to help local businesses through two advertising programs.
“It is a real critical time for businesses as we move forward through the pandemic, through the rest of the year and moving into next year. ... We are trying to give [local businesses] as much help as we can,” Mayor Richard Newton said.
The first effort is called the C-POP program, which will pair small businesses with the city’s audiovisual technology team to make one-minute promotional videos, according to Assistant City Manager Adrienne Lothery. In addition, the program will give the businesses a $1,000 cash grant to promote the videos through social media and other marketing platforms.
“We know that different businesses around town are trying to communicate with their customer base, let them know, ‘Hey, we’re back open,’ or maybe their business operations have changed a little bit,” Lothery said. “But getting that word out can be challenging.”
The program would likely be eligible for federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding or Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement, according to Lothery.
The second program approved is the continuation of the popular Colleyville Gives Program, Lothery said.
Businesses are able to receive $1,000 or $2,000 if they agree to make a $500 charitable contribution. The program costs the city $80,000 annually and has led to more than $46,100 in charitable donations, according to Lothery.
The tax increment financing economic development program funds Colleyville Gives. It could also be eligible for FEMA reimbursement, Lothery said.
These programs are not the first effort Colleyville has made to support local businesses. The city distributed more than 12,000 gift cards to residents to use at local businesses in March and April. Residents redeemed more than $425,000 through the duration of the program.
The programs will go live July 1, according to Lothery. To find out more information, businesses can contact the office of the city manager.
