Learn how your business might get a grant from Texas Back In Business

AUSTIN — On Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 2 p.m., Texas Back in Business will host a webinar for small business owners damaged by Hurricane Harvey. This webinar is especially designed for those who have not been able to attend outreach presentations being held in the 49 eligible counties. The new federally funded program is awarding $50,000 up to $250,000 in disaster relief and qualified Texas small business owners have until March 2, 2020, to apply at no cost online at  TexasBackInBusiness.com. 

Texas Back in Business funds may create or retain much-needed jobs and can be used for operating capital, repairs, inventory, machinery, equipment, supplies and other expenses directly related to the business.

To meet the minimum eligibility requirements, a small business must:

• Have been in business on August 25, 2017;
• Be defined as a small business by the Small Business Administration;
• Have experienced damage from Hurricane Harvey; and
• Be located in one of the 49 Hurricane Harvey impacted counties deemed eligible by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for disaster recovery funds.

Texas small business owners can still apply for the program at no cost online at TexasBackInBusiness.com. Potential applicants can review the FAQ section of the website to learn more about the program requirements and what will be needed to successfully complete the application process. If their business meets the basic qualifications, applicants will be entered into a random selection process to give all applicants an equal opportunity for the program. If selected, applicants will then be contacted via email to schedule an office or site visit with a grant officer to confirm the business's qualifications for funding approval and the amount of grant qualification.

This program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant for Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR). In the state's Hurricane Harvey CDBG-DR action plan, the Texas General Land Office allocated $100 million for an economic revitalization program to help small businesses impacted by Hurricane Harvey. For more information, please visit TexasBackInBusiness.com.