Economic Development Program

NOTICE TO HARVEY Economic Development Applicants

The Texas General Land Office (GLO) has terminated the terms of our Hurricane Harvey disaster contractual agreement under which Harvey Economic Development Program operates. Due to the unforeseen circumstances surrounding these changes with the GLO, we are no longer processing applications.

Hurricane Harvey generated long-term impact and challenges for Houston’s small business sector. The Harvey Economic Development Program (HEDP) provides support to impacted small businesses and communities through small business loans and grants. The program prioritizes microenterprises, which are defined as small businesses consisting of 5 employees or fewer, including the owner. This program will complement existing projects that focus on providing jobs and housing assistance to communities that are most vulnerable to the long-term impact of Hurricane Harvey.

Aims of the program:

Partnership

Boosting the growth and capacity of microenterprises

Boss Icon

Promoting equity by providing capital to disadvantaged business owners

Small Business Resources

Supporting small contractors working with the City of Houston on post-Harvey reconstruction efforts

Small Business Grants

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$24.9M
Total Program Budget

400-500 Businesses Served

Up To $150K
Per Applicant

Program Summary

The Harvey Economic Development Program’s Small Business Grant Program will offer grants to microenterprises in order to help businesses recover from the long-term impact of Hurricane Harvey.

To be eligible, an applicant business must be:

  • a microenterprise (no more than 5 employees, including the owner) owned by an individual whose income falls at or below 80% of the median income by family size as defined by income requirements established by HUD for the county, or
  • a small business that creates at least one full-time equivalent(FTE) job, or two part time jobs equivalent to an FTE (.i.e. 32 hours a week or greater), to be held by, or made available to, Low-to-moderate(LMI) persons, or
  • a small business with a service area that serves a primary residential, primarily LMI area.

Aim

Provide working capital and job creation grants for recovery and growth.

Eligible Businesses

Open to microenterprises across all business sectors.

Program Funding

Grants up to $150k per applicant

Frequently Asked Questions

What Documentation do I need?

Need Computer Access?

Need an Employer Tax Identification Number?

What to do if I have a City of Houston Tax Lien?

Requesting Property Tax Payment Plans 
by Mail

Ann Harris Bennett,
Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector
P.O. Box 4663
Houston, TX 77210-4663

Online

Select "Search and Payments" > " Installment Payment Agreement" Property Tax Services

By Appointment
at any of our locations

Additional Questions

Resources

Document NameLast Updated
Harvey Economic Development Program Guidelines March 30, 2022
Harvey Economic Development Program Guidelines Draft February 6, 2024

Glossary

HCDD

Housing and Community Development Department

CDFI

Partner Community Development Financial Institution

COH

City of Houston

GLO

Texas General Land office which oversees and approves all activities relating to Hurricane Harvey

Questions about the program?

Contact the Call Center for inquiries or to check on your application status

Contact our Complaint/Appeal team for concerns, complaints, or appeals