Small nonfarm businesses in Brazos County are now eligible to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by Drought that occurred in the following primary counties in Texas, announced Director Tanya N. Garfield of SBA’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West.

“SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disasters and businesses directly impacted by the disasters,” Garfield said.

Small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disasters not occurred.

“Eligibility for these loans is based on the financial impact of the disasters only and not on any actual property damage. These loans have an interest rate as low as 2.935 percent for businesses and 1.875 percent for private nonprofit organizations, a maximum term of 30 years, and are available to small businesses and most private nonprofits without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship,” Garfield said.

By law, SBA makes economic injury available when the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture designates an agricultural disaster.  The Secretary declared declaration 17552 on July 25, 2022; and declaration 17560 on Aug. 1, 2022.

Businesses primarily engaged in farming or ranching are not eligible for SBA disaster assistance. Agricultural enterprises should contact the Farm Services Agency about the U.S. Department of Agriculture assistance made available by the Secretary’s declaration. However, in drought disasters nurseries are eligible for SBA disaster assistance.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX  76155.

Governor Abbott today announced the mobilization of additional state resources to assist local fire departments in battling wildfires across Texas. With increased fire potential worsened by excessively dry conditions, the Governor is directing the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to deploy state resources in collaboration with the Texas A&M Forest Service.

“Communities across the state continue to be impacted by dangerously dry conditions that could lead to further spread of wildfires,” said Governor Abbott. “The State of Texas is working day and night to provide the resources needed to help support those affected by wildfires. To ensure the safety of all Texans and their loved ones, I strongly urge everyone to remain vigilant and heed the guidance of local officials to prevent the spread of wildfires.”

In the past week, state agency responders have assisted local officials with their response to 115 wildfires, totaling 10,242 acres statewide. Two additional Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) strike teams, consisting of 32 firefighters and 10 engines, were mobilized today to support local firefighting efforts.

In addition to the newly activated state resources, the following are currently deployed across Texas:

• 300 Texas A&M Forest Service firefighters
• 638 out-of-state personnel from 43 different state land management agencies
• Eight TIFMAS strike teams, including one hand crew module, and up to 150 personnel and 33 engines from 40 fire departments
• 33 firefighting aircraft
• Two Texas Emergency Medical Task Force wildland fire support packages with a total of 10 personnel, ambulances, and wildland paramedic units

Governor Abbott recently updated a disaster declaration for wildfires impacting the state to include 83 counties. The Governor also amended a drought disaster declaration to include 227 Texas counties affected by drought conditions.

Texans are encouraged to use extreme caution during heightened fire conditions, including:

• Postponing outdoor burning until conditions improve and always checking for local burn bans and other restrictions
• Avoiding parking and idling in tall, dry grass, as catalytic converters can get hot enough to ignite the grass under a vehicle
• Avoiding setting hot chainsaws or other hot, gas-powered equipment in dry grass
• When pulling a trailer, attaching safety chains securely, as loose chains can drag on the pavement and cause sparks that could ignite roadside fires.

Additional wildfire resources can be accessed by visiting tfsweb.tamu.edu/CurrentSituationand tdem.texas.gov/disasters/2022-wildfires. Texans can also view wildfire safety information at ready.gov/wildfires.