The city of Buda’s Downtown Co-Marketing Grant Program provides small businesses in the downtown district with up to $3,000 a year for marketing purposes.
On Aug. 4, the City Council amended the program to improve accessibility for small businesses, modernize the grant guidelines, clarify eligibility requirements, establish standardized compliance procedures and improve administration.
The gist
The Downtown Co-Marketing Grant Program has offered reimbursement-only grant funding, requiring businesses to pay for marketing upfront, since its creation in 2018. The approved amendment revises the program, allowing businesses to receive up to $1,000 in advance funding for approved marketing projects.
The revised grant structure improves accessibility for small business owners who may not have the resources to pay marketing expenses upfront, according to agenda documents.
City staff maintains administrative controls over the project under the new structure, requiring businesses to complete preliminary steps, including:
- Get pre-approval on marketing campaigns
- Sign a grant agreement before funds are distributed
- Submit proof of payment and documents showing the campaign was complete
- Undergo a staff compliance review before being eligible for future funding
- Repay grant funds for non-compliance or unapproved expenditures
Once businesses have completed the marketing project for which they received up to $1,000 upfront through the program, they may apply for the remaining $2,000 in funding under the original reimbursement model.
Diving deeper
The Downtown Co-Marketing Grant Program is designed to increase visitation to Historic Downtown Buda, help businesses market to visitors and encourage tourism and overnight stays in the city, according to agenda documents.
Businesses and events located or held downtown can apply for the funding opportunity. The program is capped at a total of $15,000 in available funding. An average of eight businesses utilize the program each year.
Eligible marketing strategies and platforms include digital and social media, Google Ads, print, magazine and newspaper, billboards, radio and TV and visitor guides and tourism publications, according to agenda documents.
