The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country announced Tuesday a $10 million grant to LiftFund to help small businesses recover from the catastrophic July 4 flood that devastated Kerr County.
The grant represents the largest single investment in small business recovery since the disaster, which destroyed homes, killed residents and threatened the local economy.
“People lost their lives. Families lost loved ones. Homes were destroyed,” said Austin Dickson, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country. “Many businesses experienced catastrophic damage or disruption overnight, and our local economy was threatened like never before.”
Dickson said the Community Foundation has raised $150 million to support recovery efforts across the region, adding that the organization has prioritized housing, mental health, environmental restoration and economic stability.
In the first 45 days after the disaster, the foundation granted $5 million to local chambers and partners, helping more than 550 small businesses keep their doors open and employees working, Dickson said.
“When a business closes, when jobs disappear, families leave,” Dickson said. “And when that happens, our recovery is stalled.”
The new $10 million grant to LiftFund aims to stabilize and help small businesses grow across Kerrville and Kerr County.
“This is not philanthropy as usual,” Dickson said. “This is economic recovery that will not only stabilize, but help small businesses grow.”
Amy Hereford, president and CEO of LiftFund, said the San Antonio-based community development financial institution helps small business owners access affordable capital when traditional funding falls short.
“This $10 million initiative is designed to deliver fast, flexible financial assistance to small businesses impacted by the floods,” Hereford said. “Many of these businesses are facing physical damage, lost revenue, delayed re-openings and ongoing uncertainty.”
LiftFund will deploy the funds with a focus on speed, fairness and accountability, Hereford said. Businesses that previously received disaster assistance may be eligible for additional support based on documented needs.
Hereford addressed small business owners directly during the announcement.
“These funds are because people believe in you. These funds are because people believe in your community,” she said. “You are pivotal to comeback of this community.”
Hereford said LiftFund’s data shows businesses need the support and emphasized the importance of business owners seeking available assistance.
“The humility and pride you display are unmatched in the disasters that LiftFund has served over our 30 years,” Hereford said. “It is imperative you come to get the support that you need.”
Todd Bock, executive director of the Kerrville Economic Development Corporation, said small businesses form the backbone of the Hill Country and Kerr County’s economy.
“They employ our neighbors. They support our families and our towns,” Bock said. “When disaster disrupts cash flow, workforce stability and customer access, even the strong businesses can struggle.”
In the aftermath of the flood, many businesses faced extended closures, loss of revenue and inventory, creating a ripple effect across the entire community, Bock said.
“Access to flexible, affordable capital is crucial for small business recovery in a disaster,” Bock said.
LiftFund will establish a permanent location at 98 Coronado Drive in Kerr Together’s Kerrville’s Disaster Recovery Center.
“This investment helps business owners pay their employees, repair their facilities, restock their inventories and plan for future months,” Bock said. “Supporting small businesses is not just about helping individuals, it’s about protecting jobs, maintaining services to ensure our communities remain viable and resilient.”
Dr. Karen Taylor, executive director of the West Kerr County Chamber of Commerce, said the flood hit rural and family-owned businesses especially hard.
The chamber, founded in 1979, represents over 200 members and works to advance the recreational, cultural and economic interests of West Kerr County.
“In Ingram and Hunt area, we have over 100 businesses that were impacted either physically or economically,” Taylor said. “Many rural and family-owned businesses operate with limited margins at normal times. Extended closures, loss of revenue, delayed re-openings quickly became overwhelming.”
Taylor said the funding provides a lifeline for businesses that make the Ingram and Hunt communities run.
“The flexible design of this support reflects a real understanding of what recovery looks like in a rural community like ours,” she said. “It gives business owners a practical path and the ability to address the most urgent needs.”
The grant program offers two types of assistance to eligible small businesses and nonprofits in Kerr County and Comfort. Businesses can receive grants up to $50,000 for rebuilding expenses, equipment replacement and general operating costs. The program also provides zero-percent interest rate loans ranging up to $500,000 with flexible 12-to-180-month terms and waived origination fees.
Applicants must have been in operation before July 1, 2025, and must show either physical damage or economic injury from the floods.
Businesses can receive in-person assistance Tuesday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 98 Coronado Drive in Kerrville. For grants, applicants can contact sbgrants@liftfund.com or call (800) 923-9551. Loan inquiries should be directed to info@liftfund.com or (888) 215-2373.
The program requires standard documentation including identification, business formation documents, tax returns, financial statements and flood damage evidence where applicable.
Additional eligibility requirements are available at liftfund.com.
Dickson emphasized the partnership’s long-term strategy for durable and inclusive recovery.
“Business recovery drives community recovery,” he said. “When businesses re-open, when people return to work, families stay rooted, and communities can regain momentum. We will continue to show up to invest resources where they make a difference and do the hard work that recovery requires.”
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