COVID-19 recovery, reopening discussed at May Katy Area EDC GA meeting

May 25, 2021 - Katy Area Economic Development Council welcomed members and guests to its monthly general assembly meeting on Tuesday, May 18 held at Aloft Hotel Katy. With a return to pre-pandemic life and activities ongoing, Katy Area EDC hosted representatives from the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) and Fisher Phillips LLP to discuss the reopening process and how businesses can best navigate it.

Mark Winchester, Deputy District Director for Houston District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration, provided an update on the ongoing efforts of the SBA to support the economic recovery from COVID-19. He discussed the numerous programs available to impacted businesses which the SBA is administering related to provisions in the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues (the Economic Aid Act) and American Rescue Plan Acts. He noted help is still available to impacted businesses despite the reopening which is currently underway. To learn more on SBA programs available to Houston area businesses, please visit sba.gov/offices/district/tx/houston.

Kevin Troutman, Partner at Fisher Phillips LLP., discussed the impacts of COVID-19 on the workforce and workplace. As a member of the firm’s COVID-19 Taskforce and leader its vaccine work group, Troutman discussed the myriad of questions employers face as the economy reopens and life begins to return to normal. Troutman explained issues confronting employers have evolved from the beginning of the pandemic, and presently uncertainty exists in areas ranging from bringing employees back to the office to employee vaccination policies. Fisher Phillips LLP is a Katy Area EDC member at the strategic partner level, and was recently recognized for upgrading its membership level from the Associate level.

“We were thrilled to bring two important presentations to our members to help navigate the reopening process,” added Katy Area EDC President/CEO Lance LaCour.

Several members were recognized for renewal at the meeting. The list includes The Howard Hughes Corporation and Rosenberger Construction at the Board of Governors level, and Brewer Construction, Clay Development and Construction, Century 21 Western Realty and Cunningham Capital at the Associate level.

Aloft Hotel Katy served as the breakfast sponsor for the event. The newly opened hotel and event space is located 25330 Kingsland Blvd Katy, Texas 77494. To learn more about the facility, click here.

For more information on Katy Area EDC including how to become a member, visit katyedc.org.