County Judge Lina Hidalgo and each of the Harris County commissioners voted unanimously to approve the Small Business Recovery Fund (SBRF) program, a $30 million grant program established to assist struggling small businesses who have been unable to obtain financial assistance from other COVID-19 relief programs. The program will provide eligible businesses a grant of up to $25,000 to help cover payroll costs, rent, accounts payable and other operating expenses. The SBRF targets businesses with 30 or fewer employees and is designed to assist the most vulnerable Harris County small- and micro-enterprises impacted by the pandemic with mounting financial burdens.   

“The impact of this crisis on small businesses has been devastating. We can’t afford to lose a source of jobs, innovation and the enterprising spirit our region is known for,” Judge Hidalgo said. “These grants will help business owners stay afloat as Harris County continues to fight the COVID-19 crisis.”

The Program will launch at 8 a.m. July 13 and will remain open for 10 days through July 22. More information regarding eligibility requirements, how to access the application online and over the phone, and what residents will need to prepare for the application will be released in 

“As the overwhelming demand for the forgivable loan program that I championed shows far too many of our small businesses are struggling in a big way right now. Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and have historically lifted up our community,” said Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia. “As we face some of the most difficult challenges in a generation, it’s time for county government to continue our support of local small businesses. I thank my fellow commissioners for voting in favor of the $30 million fund, and I have confidence that HBDI will do an excellent job with the expedient and efficient administration of these funds. Small businesses truly are the backbone of our economy, and this program shows that we have their backs!”

Earlier in March, Harris County provided $10 million under a small business relief program (LEAP), which was able to provide assistance to approximately 400 small businesses. With nearly 500,000 businesses in Harris County, the SBRF represents an effort to provide additional funding to a broader range of businesses suffering from the devastating impact of the novel coronavirus. Priority will be given to applicants that have not received prior assistance from the federally funded PPP Loan Program or other COVID-19 small business relief programs, including the Harris County LEAP program. 

“The effects of COVID-19 on our friends and neighbors throughout Harris County are immense and widespread – on our health, our families, our medical community and our economy,” said Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle. “Harris County’s response to this pandemic must recognize the need to address all these issues. With federal funding from the CARES Act, the Small Business Relief Fund is designed to help alleviate some of the stresses on small businesses throughout Harris County. I encourage those eligible to take advantage of this program.”

A local Community Development Financial Institution, Houston Business Development Inc., which specializes in administering government funded small business lending programs, will work closely with the county in launching and administering the SBRF program.

“Helping small businesses survive the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic directly helps the working men and women employed by those small businesses,” said Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis. “The need in our region is immense, but we will support as many of our vulnerable businesses as possible, fairly and transparently, so that the thousands of families who rely on small businesses continue to have the ability to pay their rent, feed their families, and make ends meet.”

Those in need of immediate assistance are encouraged to call 211 Texas/United Way helpline to find an organization in their geographic region to serve them.

Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan announced today that his office is prepared to ensure the safety and security of the July 14^th primary runoff election as early voting begins today.

“For each election, our office works with the County Clerk and other agencies to make sure all voters are able to cast their ballots, whether in-person or by mail, without intimidation, coercion or fraud,” said County Attorney Ryan. “This is also the first election since the COVID-19 pandemic began, so the County had the added responsibility of keeping voters and poll workers safe at polling locations.”

The July 14^th runoff election will decide races in the Democratic and Republican primaries. Early voting will take place from today, June 29, through Thursday, July 2, and then picks up after the holiday from Sunday, July 5, through Friday, July 10. There are 57 early voting locations in Harris County and hours have been extended. Voters can cast ballots at any location. (For more information, visit www.harrisvotes.com.)

Additional safety precautions will be taken for in-person voting due to COVID-19. Poll workers will wear protective equipment, plexiglass shields will be in place at check-in locations, voting machines will be cleaned and voters will be given coverings for their finger so they don’t have to touch the machines. Voters will be encouraged social distance and to wear masks; they will be given a mask if they don’t have one.

It is the responsibility of the Harris County Attorney to ensure that people are not coerced or intimidated into voting for certain candidates and that those who are legitimate voters have the ability to cast their ballot. During each election, the County Attorney’s Office fields questions from the public about the required identification documents or the appropriate ballot for their precinct or complaints about intimidation by poll watchers. Attorneys and investigators from the Office will be dispatched to a location where a voter has an issue and check it out.

Any questions or complaints can be directed by voters to the Election Hotline at 713-755-6965 or to Special Assistant County Attorney Douglas Ray at 281-935-1904 or email him at douglas.ray@cao.hctx.net. 

More people are expected to vote by mail this year due to concerns about COVID-19. Texas allows citizens to request an absentee ballot if they are over the age of 65, will be out of the county during voting, in jail but otherwise eligible to vote or have a disability, defined as a “sickness or physical condition” that prevents a citizen from voting in person without the risk of “injuring the voter’s health.” (Disability can also include pregnancy.)

The issue of whether concern about contracting the virus counts as a “disability” has been the subject of several court decisions. Special Assistant County Attorney Ray explains that the Texas Supreme Court ruled that state law says it is up to the voter: “Elected officials have placed in the hands of the voter the determination of whether in-person voting will cause the likelihood of injury due to a physical condition.”  Ray says the Supreme Court also made it clear that election officials have neither the ability nor responsibility to investigate why someone requests a mail ballot due to “disability.”

Vote by mail ballot applications have been sent to all voters 65+ years of age in Harris County who did not already have an annual ballot request on file. Ballots must be postmarked by July 14^th and received no later than 5 p.m. on the 15^th. In addition, voters may bring their mail ballot to the Harris County Clerk’s office at 1001 Preston, Suite 440, on Election Day before 7 p.m. with appropriate ID.

“The world has changed due to COVID-19 but our democracy must move forward with our elections,” said County Attorney Ryan. “Our constitutional right to vote for our elected officials will not be stopped by a virus. My Office stands ready to help ensure a fair election July 14^th and beyond.”