Kerr County nonprofits damaged in this summer’s flooding have until Nov. 2 to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans, while a separate program is offering 0% loans to small businesses in Kerr County and Comfort.
The U.S. Small Business Administration issued a reminder Friday that private nonprofits and faith-based organizations affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding of July 12 through Aug. 4 must file applications for physical damage loans before the deadline. Kerr is one of 23 eligible counties.
The SBA loans offer: Get Cash Advances
- Up to $2 million
- Interest rates as low as 3.625%
- Terms of up to 30 years
- No interest or payments for the first 12 months after the money is disbursed
Physical damage loans can be used to repair or replace damaged property, equipment, inventory and other assets. Organizations can also ask to increase their loan by up to 20% of verified losses to pay for upgrades that reduce future damage.
Nonprofits that didn’t suffer property damage but lost income because of the disaster have more time. The deadline for economic injury loans, which cover operating expenses, is June 1, 2027.
Applications are available at sba.gov/disaster. Questions can go to the SBA at 866-SBA-HELP (866-722-4357) or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability can dial 711 for relay services.
Help for businesses
For-profit businesses have another option through LiftFund, which is partnering with the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country on a flood recovery loan program for small businesses in Kerr County and Comfort.
The program offers:
- 0% interest
- Loans up to $500,000, with origination fees waived
- Terms of 12 to 120 months
Businesses must show physical damage from either the 2025 or 2026 floods, documented with photos, invoices, receipts, insurance records or similar evidence. The money can go toward rebuilding, replacing lost or damaged equipment, cleanup and debris removal, general operating expenses, or refinancing higher-cost debt. Working capital needed because of lost business is capped at 20% of the total loan.
There are strings attached. Recipients are expected to reopen or stay open in Kerr County or Comfort for at least 18 months after receiving the money. And the program is meant for businesses that need the help: applicants are ineligible if the business or its owners have enough cash, savings, stocks, CDs, bonds or other readily available resources to stabilize or restore operations on their own.
Loans are subject to LiftFund’s underwriting guidelines and available funding.
For more information, call LiftFund at 888-215-2373, email info@liftfund.com or visit liftfund.com.
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