SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration today announced the opening of a SBA Business Recovery Center in Richmond on Wednesday, Aug. 21, to provide a wide range of services to businesses impacted by Hurricane Beryl. The center will open as indicated below.

“Due to the severe property damage and economic losses Hurricane Beryl inflicted on businesses in Texas, we want to provide every available service to help get them back on their feet,” said Francisco Sánchez, Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. “The center will provide a one-stop location for businesses to access a variety of specialized help. SBA customer service representatives will be available to meet individually with each business owner,” he added. No appointment is necessary. All services are provided free of charge.
 

FORT BEND COUNTY
TW Davis Family YMCA
911 Thompson Rd.
Richmond, TX 77469

Opens at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21

Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

“SBA representatives will meet with each business owner to explain how an SBA disaster loan can help finance their recovery. They will answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each business owner complete their electronic loan application,” Sánchez said.

“In addition, SBA previously announced that SBA representatives will be available at the following two Business Recovery Centers to provide information on SBA disaster loans and business assistance on the dates and times indicated,” Sánchez continued.

The following centers are open until further notice:

BRAZORIA COUNTY
Business Recovery Center
Brazoria County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
116 S Velasco St., Ste. C
Angleton, TX 77515

Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

GALVESTON COUNTY
Business Recovery Center
Marmo Plaza
Vision Galveston
2121 Market St.
Galveston, TX  77550

Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Businesses may find a University of Houston Texas Gulf Coast SBDC location nearest to them online at https://www.sbdc.uh.edu or by calling (713) 7528444 to request consultation. Visitors are encouraged to call first for an appointment.

According to Sánchez, businesses of any size and private, nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. These loans cover losses that are not fully covered by insurance or other recoveries.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2.688 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.

Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

The deadline to apply for property damage is Oct. 10, 2024. The deadline to apply for economic injury is April 14, 2025.