Many small business owners have been financially hammered during the coronavirus pandemic, as customers stay home for health concerns and the state’s past restrictions for much of the public health crisis. Now, they could be getting a break on millions in fees they pay for health inspections. County Supervisor Katrina Foley is proposing waiving all county health permit fees owed by small businesses that have been impacted by the pandemic. The plan, if approved by a majority of supervisors, would wipe out as much as $25 million total in fees. “When I’ve been talking to local businesses – whether it’s a tattoo parlor, or a nail salon, or a restaurant,…
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Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announces proposal for new $30 million small business fund
HOUSTON – Judge Lina Hidalgo held a press conference Tuesday morning to announce a proposal for a new $30 million relief fund to support micro and small businesses recovering from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hidalgo said the small business recovery fund would use money from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and is to be administered by LiftFund, a nonprofit community development financial institution. “Running a small business is a huge challenge, even during the good times,” Hidalgo said. “The personal sacrifices that small business owners make day in and day out for their community are huge and we owe it to them to support them as…
