Opportunity/Business

Acosta Joins Board of Regents

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott appointed three new members to the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents for terms set to expire on Jan. 31, 2027, including Arcilia Acosta (Dallas), president and CEO of CARCON Industries and Construction and founder and CEO of Southwestern Testing Laboratories (STL) Engineers. A native Texan, Acosta graduated from Texas Tech University (TTU) in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. She also earned a Bank Board Director Certification from Southern Methodist University Southwest School of Banking and is a graduate of the Harvard University Business School Corporate Governance Program. She was appointed by Gov. Abbott for a three-year term on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) in 201619, which is the state’s authority on public higher education. Her first board meeting is expected to be in May. ALL THE BEST from Latino Lubbock Magazine!

SBA Application Opening for Restaurant Revitalization

SBA Administrator Isabella that have experienced economic Casillas Guzman announced the distress and significant operational U.S. Small Business Administration losses due to the COVID-19 will open applications on May 3, pandemic. This program will provide 2021, at noon EDT for the Restaurant restaurants with funding equal to Revitalization Fund. The online their pandemic-related revenue loss application will remain open to any up to $10 million per business and eligible establishment until all funds no more than $5 million per physical are exhausted. location. Funds must be used for “Restaurants are the core of our allowable expenses by March 11, neighborhoods and propel economic 2023. activity on main streets across In preparation, the SBA recommends the nation. They are among the qualifying applicants familiarize businesses that have been hardest themselves with the application hit and need support to survive process in advance to ensure a this pandemic. We want restaurants smooth and efficient application to know that help is here,” said experience, specifically Administrator Guzman. by: “The SBA has focused on the • Registering for an account in marketplace realities of our food and advance at restaurants.sba.gov. beverage businesses in designing • Reviewing the official guidance, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund including program guide, frequently to meet businesses where they are. asked questions, and application And we are committed to equity to sample. ensure our smaller and underserved • Preparing the required businesses, which have suffered the documentation. most, can access this critical relief, • Working with a point-of-sale recover, and grow more resilient.” vendor or visiting restaurants.sba. Established gov to submit an application when NOW HIRING under the American Rescue Plan, and signed into the application portal opens. For the first 21 days that the program is open, the SBA will prioritize funding applications from Computer Systems Architect law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021, businesses owned and controlled by women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged Lubbock Regional Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center (Starcare the Restaurant Revitalization individuals. All eligible applicants are encouraged to submit applications as Specialty Health System) currently requires the services of a Computer Fund provides soon as the portal opens. Following Systems Architect to develop complex computer systems used for data analysis and reporting of clinical and business information; Design and maintain the Company's SQL database and validate the data transfer proa total of $28.6 billion in direct relief funds to restaurants and the 21 days, all eligible applications will be funded on a first-come, firstserved basis. For more information, visit sba.gov/cess; Provide technical assistance and support for applications software other hard-hit food restaurants or in Spanish at sba.gov/ and information sharing as a course of doing business across the Com- establishments restaurantes. pany; Code, test, and debug system programs used by the Company to analyze programmatic data; Verify and test programs and systems logic by preparing and using test data; Prepare reports for management that outline study findings and recommendations and instructions for proposed system implementations; Formulate logical descriptions of problems and Plainview to Host Job Fair May 13th devise optimum solutions; Evaluate and revise system programs to increase operating efficiency and to adapt new procedures; Assist in creating standards and procedures for the development of system programs used for data analysis and interpretation; Assess the organizational impact of the Company's information systems; and Collaborate with other staff to The Plainview Chamber of Commerce and the City of Plainview will host a Job Fair on Wednesday, May 13th from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 retail, trade professionals, government agencies and more. Businesses are encouraged to participate. There is no charge develop solutions to software and data reporting related issues. p.m. at the Plainview and businesses may Civic Center, 2902 W. 4th register by calling the Employment in this position will take place in Lubbock, Texas and requires little to no travel. Salary for the position will be commensurate with experience and educational level. Interested applicants should e-mail resume to Street. Those who seek employment or are interested in a career Chamber at 806.296.7431 or email at info@ plainviewtexaschamber. com. Barbara McCann at bmccann@starcarelubbock.org or mail directly by mail to Lubbock Regional Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center, Attn: Barbara McCann, 904 Avenue O, Lubbock, TX 79401. change are encouraged to attend and bring copies of resumes. Businesses participating include For more information or to register a business, call the Chamber of Commerce at 806.296.7431.

Professional Development

FREE GED TEST PREPARATION

CLASSES. Need to study to pass the GED? Literacy Lubbock offers free, flexible, and casual prep classes at various times to fit in with your busy schedule. Call us at 806-7753636 for more information or register for Free classes at www.literacylubbock.org.

FREE GED AND ESL CLASSES

for Lubbock and the surrounding area offered by Adult Education Center. We accept new students on a bimonthly basis. You must be at least 17 years old and not enrolled in public school to be eligible for the classes. For more info call 806-2815750. Open Mon. thru Fri. from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. BASIC ENGLISH CLASS – Clase de Inglés – aprender Inglés básico, 3211 58th Street, (east of Indiana) Lubbock. Horas: Cada Miércoles a las 7:30-8:30 de la noche. 806-239-5352 GRATIS!!

CHILD CARE AVAILABLE FOR INCOME-ELIGIBLE FAMILIES

Families who are income eligible may receive fee assistance to attend one of the Early Learning Center’s five centers for child care. Parents or caretakers must be employed or in school. The program is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (806) 765-9981 for more information.

CLASES DE INGLÉS COMO SE-

GUNDA IDIOMA La Literacia de Lubbock (Literacy Lubbock) ofrecen clases gratis de inglés como segundo idioma (English as Second Language) para la comunidad. Todos los adultos están bienvenido en estas clases. Para más información, llame a (806) 775-3636.

FREE CRIMINAL DEFENSE

ATTORNEY: The Caprock Regional Public Defender Office offers free legal representation to 13 surrounding West Texas Counties. The office handles Felony, Misdemeanor and Juvenile cases for citizens that cannot afford to hire a criminal defense lawyer. Call (806) 742-4312 to see if your county qualifies for this service. IMMIGRATION SERVICES If you need help with immigration issues call 806-741-0409.

SERVICIOS DE INMIGRACIÓN

Si necesitan ayuda con asuntos de inmigración llame a este numero (806) 7410409.

REFERRAL FOR QUALITY

CHILD CARE in Lubbock by the South Plains Day Home Association helps parents with free referrals to licensed or registered day care facilities that are routinely monitored by the Texas Department and Protective Services. Call 796-0606 or 792-1847 for more information.

Business & Opportunity Updates

ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER

LOANS The Small Business Association (SBA) has designated COVID-19 as a qualifying event for the provision of Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) for businesses and private nonprofits in affected communities. Texas is currently working with SBA to qualify for this declaration. Additional information about Economic Injury Disaster Loans can be found here, https:// disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Information/EIDLLoans Please submit your Economic Injury Worksheet to: TDEMPARecovery@tdem. texas.gov TAX FORMS AT LIBRARIES they have forms 1040 and 1040-SR in English and Spanish available at all locations. Instruction books are available in English only at the moment. You can also access all available forms and instructions from home at www.irs.gov. BUSINESS COUNSELING Small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs can discuss their business ventures and get expert advice from the SBDC staff. All information will be held in strict confidence. For a counseling sessions call (806) 745-1637. FREE PRACTICE EXAMS Study guides for tests Learn-a-Test, a database of practice examinations, is available at the Lubbock Public Library, 1306 9th St. Hundreds of practice examinations, including SAT, ACT and elementary, middle school and high school skills improvement tests, plus graduate entrance exams, are available.

LOW INCOME TAXPAYER CLIN-

IC The TTU School of Law operates a “FREE” Low Income Taxpayer Clinic year around to provide assistance relating to issues involving controversies with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The LITC does not assist in any criminal tax matters, or prepare tax returns. For more info call (806) 834-7972 or toll free (800) 420-8037.

NWT SBDC Offering SVOG Application Assistance

The Northwest Texas Small Business Development Center (NWT SBDC) can provide information and assistance for the new disaster assistance from SBA, the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG). It is targeted to hard hit venues. Applications can be submitted starting April 8, 2021. “Eligible entities may be live venue operators or promoters, theatrical producers, live performing arts organization operators, museum operators, motion picture theatre operators, and talent representatives, per the Economic Aid Act. There are several additional groups which may or may not be eligible, but our staff can help you determine if you qualify to apply,” said Randy Burch, Associate Executive Director of the NWTSBDC. “Advance preparation is required for this new grant and we have staff which has been trained by SBA to help someone through the entire grant application process.” NWT SBDC has information on its website, www.lubbocksbdc.org, about Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) through the SBA. You may also visit with one of our counselors by calling (806) 745-3973.

PPP Loan Deadline May 31st

The application deadline for the Paycheck Protection Program that’s kept millions of small businesses in business is May 31st. The PPP, which was created as a component of the CARES Act was extended in March, and offers lowinterest loans of up to $10 million to companies and nonprofits that employ 500 workers or fewer. A large majority of the funds are not required to be paid back so long as businesses comply with the terms, including a requirement that 60% of the total amount is used for payroll. The big aspect of the PPP loan is that it is forgivable as long as 60% or more of the proceeds are spent on approved expenses, which includes self-employment compensation for sole proprietorships and single-owner limited liability corporations (LLCs) that file income taxes based on a Schedule F. More information on SBA loans can be found at www.sba.gov/ funding-programs/loans/covid-19relief-options

Linen and Uniform Rental Service All Fresh Products

Get all the Discounts you deserve.

FREE Discount Double Check. It’s a quick and easy way to make sure you’re saving all you can. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. CALL ME TODAY.

Ana Borrego, Agent

8001 Quaker Ave Ste. G Lubbock, TX 79424 (806)745-2555 www.anaborrego.com Hablo Español

Wear Your Mask! ¡Usa tu máscara!