SMALL BUSINESS
WATER RELIEF PROGRAM
The City of Laredo Small Business Water Relief Grant Program will provide financial support in the form of grants to micro and small business owners impacted by the pandemic and the recent water boil notice. The program, funded by the City of Laredo and administered by LiftFund, has dedicated $270,000 in funding to support small businesses with grants of $2,000.
Grant Awards
The funds must be used for business-related expenses, including payroll, working capital, business rent, inventory, supplies, equipment, and other operating costs.
The following limitations apply:
- Only one grant may be awarded per business.
- Limited to one grant per physical address within the City of Laredo
- Applicants with multiple businesses may submit separate applications for each business.
To be eligible for this program, businesses must:
- Be located within the City of Laredo. You can check your address using this map.
- Have experienced negative impact on operations due to the pandemic and the water boil notice issued October 10, 2024.
- Have been in operation on or before March 3, 2021.
- Fewer than 20 employees (contractors not included)
- Be currently operational – demonstrate business activity generated sales deposits on the most recent bank statement.
- Be in good standing with Texas Comptroller’s office, if applicable.
- Businesses in the following industries will not be eligible: Non-profit organizations, gambling businesses, speculative real estate investors, government entities, and sexually oriented businesses. You can view the list of prohibited NAICS codes here.
- Current Driver’s license or government-issued photo ID
- Proof of business registration with Webb County or TX Secretary of State
- Q2 2024 Form 941 or most recent payroll report
- Business utility bill (water, gas, electric) Home based businesses may provide a home utility bill.
- Most recent business bank statement (personal bank statements will be accepted if business activity is clearly identifiable)
- Grant resolution (LLCs, Corporations, Partnerships only)- template will be provided in application
- Affidavit of negative economic impact from the pandemic and water contamination event.
Application Period: October 24, 2024 at 9 am until funds depleted
Applicants will be able to save their progress during the application period. Applications must be completed and submitted along with all the documentation required for verification to be considered.
Applicants will receive a confirmation email when they submit the application.
Application review: October 28, 2024 until funds depleted
The grants team will reach out to applicants by phone or email if additional documents or clarification is needed. If additional documents are requested, applicants will have 5 business days to submit.
Award notifications: October 30, 2024 until funds depleted
All applicants, even if ineligible or not selected for funding, will be notified.
Selected recipients will be notified of approval and prompted to accept the grant via an emailed DocuSign form. Prior to funding, applicants will also be required to complete a verification interview and provided a bank statement and voided check.
Grant disbursements: November 7, 2024 until funds depleted
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, as long as your business is registered with a DBA.
No, your business must be physically located in the city.
Yes, as long as the businesses are located at different addresses and you have separate bank accounts and formation documents for them.
This grant application is free to submit and the LiftFund grant team is available to answer questions. Do not pay a third party for application assistance. Third parties are not vetted by LiftFund or the City of Laredo for this program.
If you reported income from your current business on your schedule C in 2019 and 2020, you may file a DBA at this time and be considered. The business must be registered to be considered.
You will be asked to submit a current business utility bill as part of the application.
You can submit a copy of your business lease agreement.
Yes, please contact our grant team at 800-923-9551 or [email protected] for assistance.
QUESTIONS?
Call 800-923-9551
Email [email protected]