LiftFund will provide $3M in loans for South Texas businesses ravaged by Hurricane Harvey

Here’s what Rockport business owner Jennifer Day says about the strides she and others have made in the Texas gulf coast town after Hurricane Harvey. Monica Lopez, Corpus Christi

Small businesses that have struggled since Hurricane Harvey have another way to get back on solid financial footing.

LiftFund, a nonprofit small business lender, announced this week it would offer an additional $3 million in loans to small businesses in the Coastal Bend. That includes those that were hit hard two years ago by the massive storm.

LiftFund has been supporting small business owners since 1994, but has had a local site in the Corpus Christi area since 2004. It derives its funding from donations and investments from community partners.

LiftFund marked its 15th year of service in the region on Wednesday with what it called a “quinceañera” at Hester’s Cafe, a Corpus Christi business that started up with its help years ago.

LiftFund recently received an investment from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration for the loans it distributes. The loans, which have a 4-percent interest rate through March, will enable companies to continue rebuilding and foster economic development in the area.

Hurricane Harvey devastated Rockport, Port Aransas, Aransas Pass and other coastal communities when it rumbled ashore in August 2017.

“If you go to those communities, you still see there’s lots of work left to do,” said Janie Barrera, the organization’s president/CEO. “These are businesses and people who are committed to the areas they serve and need a little support.”

Chris Ramirez writes about energy, commerce and all things business. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription to the Caller-Times.