Texas Border Business
On Tuesday, June 2, Governor Greg Abbott announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved his request to include South Texas in a federal disaster declaration for severe weather events that recently impacted the region, including the May 9 windstorm in Cameron County.
The declaration makes federal disaster assistance available through low-interest SBA disaster loans for qualifying Cameron County residents, businesses, and eligible nonprofit organizations affected by the severe weather. Eligible damages may include those caused by tornadoes, severethunderstorms, large hail, and straight-line winds, including the windstorm that struck Cameron County on May 9.
Through this declaration, the SBA has authorized access to its Home Disaster Loan, Business Physical Disaster Loan, and Economic Injury DisasterLoan (EIDL) programs. These low-interest loans are available to qualifying homeowners, renters, businesses, and certain nonprofit organizations inaffected Rio Grande Valley communities that sustained damage from the severe storms and tornadoes that occurred in early May.
“With hurricane season now underway, we want to ensure that our county and community are prepared for whatever environmental challenges this year may bring,” said Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr. “I appreciate the Governor’s Office for recognizing that weather events such as thewindstorm we experienced on May 9 are unfortunately becoming more frequent and for taking these important steps to help communities recover and rebuild following these incidents.”
To assist applicants, SBA representatives will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center to provide information about available loan programs, explain the application process, answer questions, and assist with completing applications. Beginning June 2, the Disaster Loan Outreach Center will belocated at 705 N. Bowie Street in San Benito, Texas 78586, and will operate weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Applicants may apply online, access additional disaster assistance information, and download applications at sba.gov/disaster. Additional assistance is also available through the SBA Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
Cameron County officials also encourage residents to report storm-related property damage through the Texas Division of EmergencyManagement’s Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT). Reporting damage helps state and local officials accurately assess the extent of disaster impacts and strengthens efforts to secure additional resources and assistance for affected communities.
Information source: Cameron County
