KERR COUNTY, Texas – Kerr County commissioners and several emergency representatives hosted a workshop Friday morning to discuss recovery following severe flash flooding in the Hill Country.
The agenda said this would be an Informational Community Recovery Workshop for Kerr County families affected by the flood.
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The plan is to offer helpful information and representatives from LiftFund, FEMA, Kerr EDC, local banks and area Chambers of Commerce.
Earlier this week, county officials held a similar meeting discussing ongoing resources for debris removal and reporting damage to FEMA.
In the meeting, several representatives met with Commissioners to discuss status updates and how Kerr County residents could seek help.
Kerr Economic Development Corporation
Todd Bock, Interim Executive Director of the Kerr Economic Development Corporation (KEDC), discussed a new task force the organization has established.
Kerr Together is a central resource for Kerr County flood relief, led by local leadership, according to Bock.
The goal is to gather information and intake forms swiftly throughout the Kerrville area, which is being accomplished through the new Chamber Foundation, and to help in the long-term recovery process.
You can learn more on the website.
Happy State Bank
Greg Appel, spokesperson for Happy State Bank, discussed the bank’s fundraising efforts and recent support for small businesses.
According to Appel, the bank has donated $250,000 to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund and has raised an additional $75,000.
Through local resources, the bank is offering 0% interest loans and grants to help individuals and small businesses get back on their feet.
Specifically, Appel cited Happy State Bank’s flood relief loan program, which is offering small businesses below-market-rate loans to help with flood recovery.
The bank is located at 1145 Junction Highway and has LiftFund representatives available from Tuesday to Thursday to assist with Small Business Loans.
There is an overview of how to apply for these loans on the Kerr Together website.
LiftFund
San Antonio LiftFund representative Joe de la Garza spoke about more resources for small businesses.
Grants are available for both owners and employees up to $10,000, he said. This is to pay for one month’s worth of expenses or salary.
Loans of up to $50,000 are also available to be used as working capital in the recovery process.
De la Garza said this can be for payroll, inventory, equipment and other expenses.
If applied for separately, business owners and employees can obtain a 0% interest rate, to be repaid over 54 months.
De la Garza said that a loan and a grant can be applied for simultaneously, although it would include a five percent interest rate in that case.
Once an application is in process, a representative should call the applicant within two to three days.
De la Garza said he wanted to help in the process, and if anyone had problems with the application, they could call him on his personal cell at 210-531-5535.
He also noted that some people may have received an email stating that grant or loan applicants would hear back in September. De la Garza said that it is incorrect.
More information can be found on the LiftFund website.
West Kerr Chamber of Commerce
Bobby Templeton, President of the West Kerr Chamber of Commerce, gave a status update on the state of West Kerr County.
According to iSTAT numbers, which encompass all of Kerr County, there has been damage to over 200 structures, with camps temporarily suspended and no current tourism.
Templeton said this shows the devastation of the flood, as camps and tourism keep West Kerr County in business.
Several community resources were mentioned for individuals and businesses, including:
- Disaster Recovery Center - From 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 1551 TX-39 in Hunt
- Workforce Commission - From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Aug. 1 at 1130 Junction Highway
- Small Business and General Flood Relief Questions - From Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 3285 Junction Hwy in Ingram
- Flood Relief Supplies and Donated Items - Starting next week on 215 Old Ingram Loop
- Professional Restoration - Starting on Aug. 2 at Clint Orms
- Individual Assistance - In Hunt, this will be at the Hunt United Methodist Church and Hunt Baptist Church. In Ingram, this will be at Cross Kingdom Church.
- Hill Country Youth Ranch Thrift Shop - From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., you can get clothes, furniture and household items.
Texas Hill Country Community Foundation
Austin Dixon, CEO of the Texas Hill Country Community Foundation, discussed the various ways the foundation has raised funds for flood victims.
According to Dixon, they have raised $60 million in three weeks.
This money has been distributed as restricted emergency assistance to individuals and families, emergency cash grants to local businesses, support for first responders in general operations, and funding for Ingram ISD to rebuild, enabling it to start the school year on time. Additionally, crisis assistance has been provided to organizations that served as emergency shelters for people.
Dixon said the foundation has a Memorandum of Understanding with the San Antonio Area Foundation, which is helping with data entry and donor information.
Texas Division of Emergency Management
Courtney Goss, State Voluntary Agency Liaison of the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), provided information on how families can request assistance and report storm damage.
Goss said volunteers will be needed throughout the recovery process.
One thing she noted is that to receive help, families must report storm damage. They can do so through this website.
Texas DEM recommends this to Kerr County, even if residents do not feel they need assistance, in order to save time if it is needed later.
The general helpline is 830-465-4797. You can also find more general information on their website.
Goss also cautioned homeowners about properly checking the basics when rebuilding homes, such as preventing mold, covering with true sheet rock, checking for true flood risk in the floodplain, and other issues.
“We want to get back to our new normal as soon as possible, but we also want to do it as quickly and efficiently as possible,” Goss said
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Jeff Dudensing, conversation chief for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), said that debris removal and restoring fences are the main priorities as of now.
From July to September, the USDA is offering cost-share programs to assist with these recoveries, with a maximum of $500,000 per individual.
Dudensing noted that, because aggregate gross income does not apply to this program, individuals who may not be eligible for assistance through other programs can still receive help through this one.
Livestock impacted by the flood can also get help, he said.
Dudensing recommended calling 830-896-4911 for assistance or visiting the 2200 block of Memorial Boulevard in Kerrville for more information.
Fact sheets are also available on the USDA website.
American Red Cross (ARC) - Hill Country Chapter
Melody Gayeski, Community Volunteer Leader for the American Red Cross, spoke about how ARC is alleviating human suffering during the flooding disaster.
Over the last month, Gayeski said they have provided mass care, including sheltering, emergency meals, assistance enrollment and providing recovery resources.
Currently, offering resources related to fatality and housing damages are the ARC’s main priorities.
You can find the ARC in the Hill Country at:
- First Baptist Church on 625 Washington Street, Kerrville
- Bridget’s Basket on 1551 TX 39, Hunt
- First Presbyterian Church on 800 Jefferson Street, Kerrville
- FEMA/Red Cross Center on 650 Tivy Street
Additionally, you can call 1-800-733-2767 or learn more on their website.
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