Local Businesses

CARES Act Small Business Mentoring


The federal government has acknowledged that small businesses may be especially hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and has responded by establishing provisions aimed at lessening some of the impact. The latest measure, known as the CARES Act, includes some of the most extensive small business relief to date. The CARES Act signed into law on March 27 is aimed at providing relief in a wide range of areas in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

SCORE (Service Corps Of Retired Executives) is a valuable network of 11,000 volunteers who, through 360 chapters nationwide, offer small business entrepreneurs practical business counseling advice at no charge for the Life of Your Business (from conception to profitable growth). Houston Chapter of SCORE, with more than 100 volunteers, has been helping entrepreneurs and small business owners in Houston since 1965. SCORE is a Resource Partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

SCORE exists to help small businesses succeed. They are a valuable resource to help small business owners navigate the CARES Act relief package. Their services are confidential and free of charge. For more information, visit the Houston SCORE website and check out the SBA Coronavirus Informational Webinars page.

Distance Socially | Dine Locally


Katy Responds COVID-19 Update

Fort Bend County has followed Harris County in ordering all restaurants and other establishments that serve food be limited to takeout, delivery and drive-thru options effective today.  This order is in effective until at least March 31.

Distance socially, dine locally!

Please continue to support these establishments.  Call your favorite restaurant and place a to-go order.  Drive-thru’s are still open, and many, like Chick-fil-a, have perfected the flow to reduce wait time.  Remember to be patient.  A smile goes a long way as we are all figuring out our temporary new schedules and work routines.

The City of Katy and surrounding areas have also limited or closed many of their city and county buildings and playgrounds.  Walking trails are still open, but please keep your distance.

Currently, per CDC guidelines, all gathering should be limited to no more than 10 people with reasonable proximity.

The best way to continue to spread hope faster than COVID-19 is to know that decisions are being made for the health and well being of our entire community. While we all may feel a bit stir crazy we are navigating together through time unparalleled for over a century. This unprecedented time calls for unprecedented calls to action in a global world more closely connected than we often realize. Updated information will become available as we are notified.

Everyone has a role to play.  Together we are Katy strong!

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Fort Bend Updates:  https://www.fbchealth.org/orders-impacting-restaurants-other-establishments-and-extending-disaster-declaration-by-the-county-judge-of-fort-bend-county/

Harris County:  https://www.readyharris.org/Newsroom/News-Releases/All-News-Releases/news-release-harris-county-judge-covid-19-regulations

CDC updates: www.cdc.gov

SBA Disaster Assistance Loans

SBA To Provide Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Up to $2 Million in Disaster Assistance Loans

WASHINGTON – SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza issued the following statement today in response to the President’s address to the nation:

“The President took bold, decisive action to make our 30 million small businesses more resilient to Coronavirus-related economic disruptions. Small businesses are vital economic engines in every community and state, and they have helped make our economy the strongest in the world. Our Agency will work directly with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest disaster recovery loans to small businesses that have been severely impacted by the situation. Additionally, the SBA continues to assist small businesses with counseling and navigating their own preparedness plans through our network of 68 District Offices and numerous Resource Partners located around the country. The SBA will continue to provide every small business with the most effective and customer-focused response possible during these times of uncertainty.”

Process for Accessing SBA’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disaster Relief Lending

• The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low- interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s Governor, SBA will issue under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration.

• Any such Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance declaration issued by the SBA makes loans available to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations in designated areas of a state or territory to help alleviate economic injury caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

• SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance will coordinate with the state’s or territory’s Governor
to submit the request for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance.
Once a declaration is made for designated areas within a state, the information on the application process for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance will be made available to all affected communities.

• SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.

• These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses without credit available elsewhere; businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%.

• SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay.

• SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans are just one piece of the expanded focus of the federal government’s coordinated response, and the SBA is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible.

• For additional information, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center. Call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.