ARRA Grant and Loan Opportunities in Texas
The Comptroller's office has compiled information, links and dollar amounts for potential funding opportunities in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Funding opportunities include competitive grants, grants distributed through preexisting formulas and loan programs. Where possible, we have indicated the amounts available in Texas. Information is subject to change.
To apply: Please contact the administering agency or visit Grants.gov.
FAQs: has additional information on applying for grants and loans.
A printable version of the ARRA Grant and Loan Opportunities in Texas (PDF, 121 KB) is available in .pdf format.
Business & Economic Development
| Program Title |
Administrator | Program Description | Total Available (millions) |
Source | Eligible Entities |
Type of Assistance |
Application Deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Development Block Grant | Office of Rural and Community Affairs 512-936-6701 or 800-544-2042 |
Community Development Block Grant (Non-Entitlement): In non-entitlement areas, the state distributes grant funding. Non-entitlement areas are cities with populations of less than 50,000 (except cities that are designated principal cities of Metropolitan Statistical Areas), and counties with populations of less than 200,000. | $19.5 | State | Cities and counties | Competitive Grants | TBD |
| Economic Development Assistance | U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration 512-381-8144 |
The program addresses a community need for assistance because of several circumstances: military base closures or other defense related loss of industry, declared disasters, international trade, long-term economic downturns, loss of a major employer or loss of manufacturing jobs. The recipients of the grants must develop a Comprehensive Economic Development System which analyzes the Regional economy and serves as a guide for establishing regional goals and objectives, developing and implementing a Regional plan of action, and identifying investment. Grant will not be more than 50 percent of the cost of the project. | $50.0 | Federal | State, local, and tribal governments, institutions of higher education Indian tribes, private institutions, and non-profits | Competitive Grants | Ongoing |
| Farm Operating Loans | U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency, Texas Branch 979-680-5151 |
Any farming or ranching establishment can apply for up to $300,000 in loans used for operating expenses like tractor equipment, seed, fuel, or chemicals. Loan terms vary depending on type of loan and what it is used for. About $120 million of the $173 million will go toward existing applications on backlog. | $173.0 | Federal | Farmer and rancher proprietors, partnerships, and corporations with credit needs not being met by private sources | Loan | No deadline |
| Indian Community Development Block Grant | U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 202-708-1112 |
This program provides funding for infrastructure and housing projects in Indian communities. Indian tribes, bands, groups, nations, tribal organizations, including Alaska Indians, Aleuts, Eskimo, and Alaska Native villages are eligible to apply. | $10.0 | Federal | Tribal governments | Competitive Grants | TBD |
| Microloans | Local Microlenders 800-827-5722 |
Increases loans to participants of the microloan program, which provides loans up to $35,000. Also provides $24 million in grants to those that make microloans for technical assistance to borrowers. | $74.0 | Federal | Small businesses | Grants and Loans | Through 9/30/2010 |
| Native American Loan Guarantees | U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs 202-208-5324 |
Native American Loan Guarantees Indian Guaranteed Loan Program guarantees loans to stimulate Native American economies in which unemployment far exceeds the national average. Recognized tribes in Texas are the Tigua, Alabama & Coushatta, and Kickapoo. |
$10.0 | Federal | Tribal governments or their lenders | Loan guarantees (for economic development projects only) | Through 9/30/2010 |
| Neighborhood Stabilization | U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 202-708-1112 |
Neighborhood Stabilization Program: This is a program that was created in 2008 to provide funds to local governments and to states with high levels of foreclosures for the purchase and rehabilitation of vacant housing. | $1,980.0 | Federal | State and local governments, nonprofit entities | Competitive Grants | 7/17/2009 |
| Public Works and Economic Development Facilities Program | U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration 512-381-8144 |
Supports the construction or rehabilitation of public infrastructure and facilities necessary to generate or retain private sector jobs and investments, attract private sector capital, and promote regional competitiveness, including investments that expand and upgrade infrastructure to attract new industry, support technology-led development, accelerate new business development, and enhance the ability of regions to capitalize on opportunities presented by free trade. | $100.0 | Federal | Cities, state, institutions of higher education, district organizations, Indian tribes, private institutions, and non-profits | Competitive Grants | TBD |
| Rural Broadband, Telemedicine and Distance Learning | U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service (in partnership with National Telecommun- ications and Information Administration) 202-690-4673 |
Existing program with competitive grants, loans, and loan guarantees which will experience new funding in which there are no matching requirements. The applicants of the grants must be in an unserved or underserved area. The definitions of unserved and underserved are still being defined. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, The Federal Communications Commission and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration are holding a series of public meetings throughout March to develop the program guidelines. | $2,500.0 | Federal | Local governments, businesses, and nonprofits | Grants, loan and loan guarantees | TBD |
| Rural Business Program Account: Rural and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program | U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Business Cooperative Service (Regional Office) 254-742-9700 |
Any public or private entity with a private loan for rural economic or environmental development can apply for a USDA loan guarantee. Loans must be written for real estate, equipment, or working capital. Loan terms are negotiated between borrower and lender, and USDA guarantees up to 80 percent of loan amount, depending on loan size. A 2 percent fee is charged at beginning of guarantee, with an annual fee of 0.25 percent the loan balance; collateral and equity are required. | $130.0 | Federal | Any public or private entity | Loan guarantee | No deadline |
| Rural Business Program Account: Rural Business Enterprise Grants | U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Business Cooperative Service (Regional Office) 254-742-9700 |
Rural Business Program Account: Rural Business Enterprise Grants. Rural public entities can receive grants for real estate, captial and infrastructure development that furthers adult distance learning and education. No maximum grant amount, and smaller projects get priority. |
$20.0 | Federal | Any rural public entity, including Indian tribes and non-profits | Competitive Grants | No deadline |
| Rural Community Facilities Program Account | U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Housing Service (Regional Office) 254-742-9700 |
The program guarantees loans to municipalities, counties, non-profits, and Indian Tribes used toward community facilities in areas with less than 20,000 residents. The borrower finds a private lender and the USDA guarantees up to 90 percent of the loan. | $130.0 | Federal | Municipalities, counties, non-profits, and tribes in areas with population less than 20,000 | Loan guarantee | No deadline |
| Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account | U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Housing Service (Regional Office) 254-742-9700 |
Rural residents earning up to 80 percent of the median area income are eligible for 30 or 33 year direct housing loans with no money down. Applicants must lack adequate housing and credit from the private sector, but must have reasonable credit histories. | $1,000.0 | Federal | Rural residents earning up to 80 percent of area median income | Direct loan | No deadline |
| Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account | U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Housing Service (Regional Office) 254-742-9700 |
Rural residents earning up to 115 percent of the median area income are eligible for loan guarantees on 30 year housing loans with no money down. Applicants must lack adequate housing and credit from the private sector, but must have reasonable credit histories. | $436.6 | Federal amount allocated to Texas | Rural residents earning up to 115 percent of area median income | Loan guarantee | No deadline |
| Small Business Investment Companies | Local Small Business Administration- licensed Small Business Investment Companies 800-827-5722 |
Raises the maximum provided to SBA-licensed Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) to the lesser of three times the private capital raised by those companies or $150 million. Increases the percentage a SBIC can invest in a single small business to 10 percent of total capital. For small businesses with a net worth under $18 million and average after tax net income for the prior two years under $6 million, plus other restrictions. | n/a | Federal | Small businesses | Loans | TBD |
| Small Business Loans | Commercial Lending Institutions 800-827-5722 |
Raises the Small Business Administration’s loan guarantee from 85 percent to as much as 90 percent for some loans. | $375.0 | Federal | Small businesses | Loan guarantees | Through 2/17/2010 |
| Small Business Loans | Certified development companies 800-827-5722 |
Permits a 504 Certified Development Company program to refinance existing loans for fixed assets. For small businesses with tangible net worth under $7.5 million and average net incomes under $2.5 million after taxes for preceding 2 years. Businesses engaged in speculation or investment in rental real estate are ineligible. | n/a | Federal | Small businesses | Loans | TBD |
| Small Business Stabilization Loans | Small Business Administration 800-827-5722 |
New SBA business stabilization loan program providing deferred-payment loans of up to $35,000 to viable small businesses that need to make payments on an existing, qualifying loan for up to six months. 100 percent guaranteed by SBA. Repayment would not have to begin until 12 months after the loan is disbursed. | $255.0 | Federal | Small businesses | Loan guarantees | Through 9/30/2009 |
| Small Business Surety Bonds | Small Business Administration Office of Surety Guarantees The Seattle Area SBA Office administers the Surety Bond Program for Texas. 206-553-0961 |
Expands Surety Bond Program by raising amount that can be covered by an SBA guaranteed surety bond from $2 million to $5 million. These bonds are used by small businesses to bid on and obtain federal and other contracts. | $15.0 | Federal | Small businesses | Bond guarantees | Through 9/30/2010 |
| Technology Opportunities Program | U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration 202-482-1880 |
The program supports demonstrations of new telecommunications and information technologies to provide education, health care, or public information in the public and non-profit sectors. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate. The criteria for the program have yet to be determined as this is a former program that is undergoing new rules. However, National Telecommunications and Information Administration will provide 80 percent of the funding and the recipient must provide the remaining 20 percent. | $4,350.0 | Federal | State, local and tribal governments, health care providers, schools, libraries, police departments, and community- based non-profit organizations | Competitive Grants | Three rounds of funding, first notice up April - June 2009 |