Chamber officials said they received 180 kits, each containing 40 BinaxNow tests, for a total 7,200 rapid tests that yield results in 15 minutes. The chamber also received 7,200 masks to distribute with the kits.

This initiative, the COVID-19 Small Business Rapid Testing Program, began in December and was spearheaded by Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Division of Emergency Management. TDEM has since expanded this program, according to a Jan. 22 news release, and has dedicated 1 million rapid tests for chambers of commerce across the state to distribute to small businesses.

Several chambers across the state had already participated in the December pilot program and were familiar with the concept when TDEM reached out, according to Frisco Chamber President and CEO Tony Felker.

“When it rolled out to all chambers, we absolutely wanted to get involved to help our business community stay safe and continue to recover,” Felker said in a written statement. “This is just one more opportunity to work with our partners, local and statewide, to protect and promote our local business communities.”