RICHMOND, Texas – Fort Bend County Judge KP George held a news conference Wednesday on the progress of the county’s Small Business Grant Program.
The program was created to stabilize existing small businesses in Fort Bend County that have had significant business disruption due to the impact of COVID-19.
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George was joined by county business leaders, economic development officials, and chambers of commerce, including business owners who have received assistance from the grant program.
According to a news release, George, along with Fort Bend County Commissioners, allocated $25 million in federal funds provided through the CARES Act and increased those funds twice during the fiscal year of 2020.
On April 27, through an allocation of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, the court approved an additional $46.4 million, bringing the fund to $71.4 million to assist the county’s small business community.
During the news conference, George emphasized the need and importance of supporting local small businesses, and to “help them with the funding needed to bring their employees back to work and get their businesses back into full operation.”
“Our small businesses have faced unprecedented challenges this past year, and we have stepped up to provide them the support they need while jumpstarting Fort Bend County’s economic recovery,” George said. “Their success is our county’s success. I was talking to a restaurant owner who said the only reason why he is in business today is because of the support he received from the county.”
In addition to the emergency grant program, the county launched another program to help small businesses -- particularly minority and disadvantaged businesses that did not receive PPP loans -- by partnering with Carter Brothers Consulting to help turn things around.
George said he would continue to work and provide “pathways of support” for businesses in need.
Applications are currently being accepted for the Small Business Grant Program at FortBendCountyTX.gov.