Goldman Sachs & Rebuild Texas Announce Microloan Program For Small Businesses Impacted By Hurricane Harvey

LiftFund to Oversee $7 Million Initiative Will Help Businesses Recover and Rebuild

Thursday, Governor Greg Abbott joined representatives from Goldman Sachs, LiftFund, and the Rebuild Texas Fund to announce a new $7 million microloan program for small businesses affected by Harvey. The Texas Small Business Rebuild Initiative will provide up to $25,000 loans at a zero percent interest rate for 48 months to small businesses working to recover and rebuild in the aftermath of the hurricane. 

In announcing the Texas Small Business Rebuild Initiative, Governor Abbott and representatives from Goldman Sachs, LiftFund and the Rebuild Texas Fund were joined by local elected officials in Houston, TX at Nuksy’s Fine Catering, one of the first recipients of a loan under the new program. Yolonda Henry, owner of Nuksy’s Fine Catering, had her inventory destroyed and business disrupted as a result of Harvey.

“Texas would not be where it is today without our small businesses, which is why it is so crucial that we help restore what has been lost due to Hurricane Harvey,” said Governor Abbott. “Working together, we will rebuild our small businesses, restore pride in our communities, and get Texas back on track. I look forward to the success of this new initiative, and I thank all of our partners for their commitment to helping small businesses in Texas as we work to rebuild stronger than before.”

“Our small business owners, who are critical to our economy, are still suffering five months after Hurricane Harvey,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. “I applaud the $7 million initiative which will help hundreds of small business owners get back on their feet. Our goal is to make sure they survive and thrive in Houston.”

There are over 800,000 small businesses in the FEMA disaster designated counties. Of those businesses, more than 650,000 are self-employed and over 110,000 have less than 10 employees. According to FEMA, more than 40% of businesses never reopen after a disaster, and for those that do, only 29% were still operating after two years.

Goldman Sachs through its 10,000 Small Businesses program provided $5 million at a zero percent interest rate during this time of difficulty to help Texas small businesses get on the path to recovery and rebuild their operations. 

The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, which gives small business owners access to a business education and capital, has been operating in the greater Houston area since 2010 and has helped over 600 local business owners grow their companies. 

The funding also builds on the recovery efforts from Goldman Sachs in response to Hurricane Harvey including over $620,000 in donations and employee volunteer initiatives benefiting a range of nonprofit organizations.

“Since the 10,000 Small Businesses program first came to Houston in 2010, we’ve seen the passion, resiliency and ingenuity of small business owners here time and time again. In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey, our confidence in the power of dedicated small business owners to lift up their local Texas communities has never been greater,” said Margaret Anadu, head of the Urban Investment Group at Goldman Sachs. “Alongside Governor Abbott, LiftFund and the Rebuild Texas Fund, we’re pleased to support and partner with these entrepreneurs to provide them the capital they need to rebuild their communities.”

Rebuild Texas Fund contributed $2 million in support for LiftFund in making these loans, including: $900,000 to buy down interest for small business owners to enable LiftFund to lend at 0%; $850,000 to fund a portion of the loan loss reserve and guarantee; $175,000 for partnership grants with key economic development partners to bolster capacity; and $75,000 for outreach for awareness and events in underserved areas.

“Small businesses are the economic backbone of many small communities that were devastated by Hurricane Harvey. The rebuilding of small businesses will be critical to communities bouncing back,” said Neeraj Aggarwal of Rebuild Texas Fund. “Rebuilding communities will require strong, creative partners from business, government, non-profit and philanthropy working together. The Texas Small Business Rebuild Initiative exemplifies the power of partnership, and we are excited to be a part of it.” 

LiftFund is a nonprofit organization that provides small business loans to those who do not have access to capital from typical lending sources. Since 1998, LiftFund has provided more than $54 million small business loans to 3,300 small businesses along the Texas Gulf Coast, marking 20 years of fueling the local business economy by connecting small businesses to much needed capital and support.

At the time Hurricane Harvey hit, LiftFund had 345 small business clients in the Gulf Coast area and an outstanding balance of $7.6 million. Since Harvey, LiftFund has provided over $2.3 million in small business relief loans to businesses along the Gulf Coast.

“In helping Texas small businesses, the Texas Small Business Rebuild Initiative is having a far greater impact in the total recovery of the areas devastated by Harvey. It is rebuilding local communities, one small business at a time,” said Richard Gianni, LiftFund Market President for Houston and Regional President for the East Texas Region.

Small business owners in the Texas Gulf Coast who need assistance can visit www.liftfund.com/hurricane-relief-resources to learn more about the Texas Small Business Rebuild Initiative and apply for a loan. Or, impacted business owners can call LiftFund at (888) 215-2373 or inquire by email at harveyrelief@liftfund.com.

For additional information about Rebuild Texas Fund you can visit them at http://www.rebuildtx.org/ or LiftFund at http://www.liftfund.com/.