Texas Set to Receive SBA Aid for Welder Fire and Storm Recovery, Announces Governor Abbott

Residents and business owners in parts of Texas affected by recent natural disasters will soon receive aid from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), as confirmed by Governor Greg Abbott.

The assistance comes in response to the catastrophic Welder Fire, raging in South Texas, and severe storms that battered North Texas earlier in the month. Governor Abbott, addressing these recent calamities, expressed the state's readiness to support those impacted.According to an announcement made by the Governor this Wednesday and reported by the official website of the Texas Governor, the SBA has approved the governor's request for disaster declarations.



This decision triggers access to low-interest loans, which will help individuals and businesses rebuild after the fire and storms. "These disaster declarations will provide impacted Texans with access to low-interest loans to help them rebuild and recover," said Governor Abbott.The affected counties for the wildfire declaration include Aransas, Bee, Jim Wells, Live Oak, Nueces, Refugio, and San Patricio, while the severe weather declaration encompasses Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Kaufman, Rockwall, and Tarrant counties.

Texans living in these areas can take advantage of various SBA loan programs, which include Home Disaster Loans, Business Physical Disaster Loans, and Economic Injury Disaster Loans.The application process is quick and easy, with options to apply online, by phone, or by email through the SBA’s website. For help, contact the SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.

gov. People who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability can use 7-1-1 for relay services. Mailed applications should be sent to the SBA’s Processing and Disbursement Center in Fort Worth.

Further reflecting on the state's response, Governor Abbott highlighted Texas's robust emergency management system, which has taken multiple actions to combat and recover from these disasters. These efforts include securing Fire Management Assistance Grants for multiple fires across the state and elevating the readiness level of the Texas State Emergency Operations Center..