Mid City Times

Downtown small businesses impacted by the January explosion at the Sandman Signature Fort Worth Downtown Hotel can each apply for up to $50,000 in grant money from the Fort Worth Local Development Corporation.

City staff met with the business owners in the weeks following the explosion. In those meetings, the owners voiced concerns about how they would fare in the aftermath, as well as new challenges posed by trash and debris on the sidewalk in front of their locations.

At the recommendation of the Economic Development Department, the LDC responded Tuesday by approving a $250,000 disaster recovery stimulus program.

The eligible businesses are located on Eighth Street, between Throckmorton and Houston streets, on the south side of the hotel. Business owners can enter into a simple Chapter 380 economic development agreement with the LDC after meeting certain stipulations. They then have six months to provide receipts of how they expended the funds on program-eligible expenses. The grant can be used for such things as rent/mortgage, employee support, utilities, supplies, or other approved business needs.

The LDC promotes, sponsors, and coordinates activities centered on job creation and economic development. The mayor and city council comprise its board.