Valerie Maher

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering loan and other assistance to Texas businesses located in areas impacted by severe weather that began on April 26, 2024. Businesses impacted by the severe weather can contact the SBA at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or 800-659-2955 from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday for assistance and questions. What Types of Disaster Loans are Available? •         Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery, and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible. •         Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period. •         Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles. Deadline for Physical Damage filing: 07/16/2024 Deadline for Economic Injury filing: 02/18/2025 Texas counties of: Bell, Calhoun, Collin, Cooke, Denton, Eastland, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Henderson, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Liberty, Montague, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Walker & Waller; For Economic Injury only in the contiguous Texas counties of: Anderson, Angelina, Aransas, Austin, Bexar, Brazoria, Brown, Burnet, Caldwell, Callahan, Chambers, Cherokee, Clay, Comal, Comanche, Coryell, Dallas, Delta, Ellis, Erath, Falls, Fannin, Fisher, Fort Bend, Franklin, Freestone, Galveston, Gonzales, Grayson, Grimes, Haskell, Hays, Houston, Hunt, Jackson, Jefferson, Kaufman, Lampasas, Madison, Matagorda, McLennan, Milam, Navarro, Newton, Nolan, Orange, Palo Pinto, Red River, Refugio, Rockwall, Sabine, San Augustine, Shackelford, Smith, Stephens, Stonewall, Tarrant, Taylor, Van Zandt, Victoria, Washington, Williamson, Wilson & Wise; and for economic injury only in the contiguous Oklahoma counties of: Bryan, Choctaw, Jefferson & Love Click here to find out if you are eligible to apply for a SBA Disaster Loan.

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🤝 Networking and Insights: Engaging with Round Rock Chamber of Commerce and Q Branch Team Our visit to Texas continued with a dynamic networking session at the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce, followed by a deep dive with the Q Branch team, a pivotal organization supporting startups in financing and scaling their innovations. At the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce, we gained valuable insights into the vibrant business environment of Texas. Meeting with the team at Q Branch was particularly enlightening. This organization excels in guiding startups beyond the research phase, helping transform innovative ideas into market-ready products, especially in the defense and security sectors. Their approach underscores the belief that innovation doesn’t stop at research; it must evolve into tangible solutions that can make a significant impact. Political Research Group #BusinessNetworking #RoundRockChamber #StartupGrowth #Innovation #DefenseIndustry #GlobalBusinessDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #RisingLeaders

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🎉 Day 6 of our Texas Impact Enterprise Awards honoree announcements! We continue to celebrate by spotlighting another group of outstanding Commendees. Join us in congratulating today's honorees! Their dedication and impactful efforts are driving positive change and making a substantial difference in our communities. SOUTH UNION COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INC: Our mission is to “sow the seeds of success” that introduces youth to a system of creativity where they can see their values/specialty becoming a vital tool. But most importantly, we want them to know that their experiences will be captured via video and may become a future show called “The Setting Sons/Daughters of Sunnyside” to share our impact. Texas PACE Authority: Texas PACE Authority (TPA) was intentionally designed as a servant-leader organization to enable competitive financial returns, drive positive environmental impacts, and enhance the well-being of all Texas communities. Since 2015, we've grown to serve 97 local governments and facilitated almost $500 million in energy and water-saving investments for businesses and nonprofits across Texas. Texas Water Trade: Texas Water Trade (TWT) has developed and implemented a portfolio of replicable, market-based solutions that our state needs to ensure a reliable supply of freshwater for its people, nature, and economy. When leveraged, these solutions demonstrate the progress Texans can make when we manage our water resources collaboratively rather than competitively. TWT brings together diverse stakeholders, including conservation organizations, institutional water managers, and commercial water users, to secure water where it is most critical to the health and prosperity of our communities – in aquifers, rivers, and coastal habitats. #TexasImpactAwards #CommunityImpact #Changemakers

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The “Positioning Louisiana to Win” bill – a game changer for economic development – has officially been signed into law by Gov. Landry. SB 494 transforms our state’s approach to economic development and empowers Louisiana Economic Development to revitalize business investment and job creation throughout the state. Learn more about the bill and meet LED’s new leadership team: https://loom.ly/ibmWPOk #PositioningLouisianatoWin

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🎉 Day 11 of our Texas Impact Enterprise Awards honoree announcements! Today, we highlight our Government Champions, agencies, and departments that have excelled in public service. These entities have implemented effective policies, delivered outstanding services, and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of citizens and the functioning of society. Austin Energy: Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB) cultivates innovation in building for the enrichment of the community’s environmental, economic, and human well-being. AEGB works with the public and building professionals to guide and build green projects that contribute positively to the city’s environmental goals and make Austin a more sustainable place to live for generations to come. Harris County Office of Sustainability: The Harris County Office of Sustainability is reimagining how local governments, community-based organizations, and frontline residents work collaboratively to find solutions to the most pressing climate challenges in our region. Texas Water Development Board: The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional water and flood planning, and preparing the state water and flood plans. The TWDB administers cost-effective financial assistance programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood mitigation, and agricultural water conservation projects. #TexasImpactAwards #CommunityImpact #Changemakers

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The “Positioning Louisiana to Win” bill – a game changer for economic development – has officially been signed into law by Gov. Landry! SB 494, transforms the state’s approach to economic development and positions LED to revitalize business investment and job creation not only in our region but all across the state. Learn more about the bill and meet LED’s new leadership team: https://hubs.li/Q02BrX1q0 #PositioningLouisianatoWin

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Another direct mail campaign headed out the door! Our dedicated team at #TexasEDConnection sends valuable information to small and medium-sized business owners considering expanding or relocating to #Texas each month. By joining our marketing cooperative, member communities can share their unique offerings with these business owners, leveraging our outreach to enhance their visibility and growth potential. If you're interested in learning how #D1Experts can help your organization connect with business owners nationwide, let's connect. I’d love to show you how you can leverage our cooperative to drive economic development and business success in your community. If you are a business owner who would like more information on doing business in #TX, drop me a message, and we’ll connect. #FistBump #EconomicDevelopment #TexasBusiness #BusinessExpansion #MarketingCooperative #superdavequinn #Texas #econdev #superdave

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What does TXCPA PAC do? TXCPA PAC contributes much-needed funds to political candidates and incumbents who understand the importance of a sound Texas economy and the critical role of the CPA in preserving the state’s business climate. Contributions are made year-round—not only during an election cycle—as modern policymakers must continually raise funds to meet campaigning demands. How does the TXCPA PAC work? TXCPA PAC is directed by the TXCPA PAC committee, whose volunteer members are appointed by the TXCPA Chairman. The PAC committee works closely with local chapters and Public Affairs committees to determine which policymakers should receive TXCPA PAC contributions.

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How can we build and leverage relationships between rural employers to build a stronger workforce and provide good jobs for all? Learn more below! #sectorpartnerships #goodjobs #ruraljobs

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Change is usually good. But, after reviewing the backgrounds of each person on the team, I'd like to see more emphasis on real world visceral experience within the digital sector and global tech economy. It is the future. Change starts at the bottom with the people doing it. The kind of change needed is not possible from academia, corporate professionals, lifetime appointed or elected officials because they have not lived the hard life and built something from the ground up. My experience is that they cannot identify the proper roadmap to build new innovations and bring them to market. It's hard to create this kind of ecosystem in communities that have fallen behind because of talented attrition who leaves for better places to get the right help. It simply doesn't matter how talented you are, it takes a bigger community who has walked the same walk to support you. When an entrepreneur is all in and struggling and needs help, we go where we can actually get helped. On the other hand, there are plenty of examples in our state of people who have not left, that are trying to drive a digital evolution here but I do not see them represented in this new group. Change comes from the entrepreneurs, period. Where are they? Moving to other cities. The book "Startup Communities: Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Your City" by Brad Feld, founder of Techstars, is a great example of what it takes to transform a community into a startup and business phenom. https://lnkd.in/gHCbdkhm

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The PAVE program promotes veteran entrepreneurship in the state of Louisiana. If you are a veteran and are thinking about starting your own business or you are an existing veteran business owner, Louisiana Economic Development's Pathway to Assist Veteran Entrepreneurs program is for you. As a veteran, you have served your county and as a business owner (or prospective business owner) you continue to serve. Take the time to enroll and complete this program that will allow you to engage with people and organizations that will help you succeed. There is no need to go at it alone. Please see Andrew Ward's below post for more information. #veteran #veterans #louisiana

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Join our Economic Development's Doug McDonald and Special Project's Peter Braster on #InsidePlano Episode 74 as they provide an exclusive update on the state of business and development projects shaping our city. From new construction to revitalization initiatives, they'll dive deep into all that is happening in Plano. Don't miss this insightful conversation! #PlanoEconomicDevelopment #BusinessUpdates #PlanoTX

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 15, 2024 GOV. LANDRY SIGNS HOUSE BILL 385, PROVIDES EDUCATION INCENTIVE FOR LOUISIANA VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES BATON ROUGE, La.—LDVA Secretary Charlton Meginley, COL (USAF Retired) is proud to announce that Gov. Jeff Landry signed into law House Bill 385 by Rep. Chuck Owen, which makes changes to Title 29 state educational benefits. HB 385 is a key part of LDVA’s efforts to retain service members who are currently stationed in Louisiana, and return those service members who left the state. “Parents make important decisions centered around their child’s wellbeing every day, and because of this, we must identify barriers and implement change to give our servicemen and women reasons to live in our great state,” said Secretary Meginley. “HB 385 does just that, and I want to thank Rep. Chuck Owen for his support not only as a legislator, but as a fellow veteran as well.” HB 385 makes a significant change to a veteran’s child’s ability to pursue higher educational goals by reducing a veteran’s residency requirement from two years to one year. This reduction provides an additional incentive to veterans to make Louisiana their home. Perhaps more significantly, if a service member permanently assigned in Louisiana was killed in action, or passed away under the conditions provided in the bill, his or her children receive a free college education. In these instances, the citizens of Louisiana acknowledge we could never repay the price paid by a parent’s ultimate sacrifice, but will do everything we can to provide for that child’s future. Title 29 is a state educational benefit for children of veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 90% or more; children of veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 100% due to unemployability; and for surviving spouses of deceased veterans. For more information about Title 29, contact a veterans assistance counselor at a parish veterans service office by using LDVA’s locator at https://lnkd.in/dDG8aDXj, emailing veteran@la.gov or calling 225.219.5000. ### #LDVA #ServingThoseWhoServed Charlton J. Meginley Jerome Buller, MD, MBA, MS, CPE, FACOG, FACHE John Phillips Dustin Guy Brandee Patrick

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📣 #TXBusinesses: Join TWC’s Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza at the upcoming Governor’s #SmallBusinessSummit in Pampa on June 13! Learn more and register through the link in the post below. ⬇️

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New #EconomicDevelopment Legislation Aims At “Positioning #Louisiana To Win”: Signed today by Office of Governor Jeff Landry, the #bill applies national #bestpractices to #structure and #operations at Louisiana Economic Development (#LED). #CorporateRealEstate #EconDev #SiteSelection

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Spending reductions following years of federal pandemic fund revenue are detailed in an analysis by The National Association of State Budget Officers. The largest reductions? In CA, FL, TX, and OH. Details are in the spring 2024 Fiscal Survey of States: https://ow.ly/iSlt50SmK5z

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