SBA Programs Inject Over $9 Billion Into Houston-Area Businesses in Fiscal Year 2021

Over $36 million a day helped elevate businesses in Houston and surrounding areas, accounting for roughly 30 percent of small businesses in the district

Houston’s entrepreneurial ecosystem remained remarkably resilient this year despite the ongoing economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over $9 billion in U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) lending occurred in the Houston District, which covers 32 counties of Southeast Texas. More than 213,000 loans were approved for businesses in the district.

Traditional lending in Houston included the following totals:

• 7(a) Loan Program: 1,272 loans for $1,315,808,600
• 504 Loan Program: 94 loans for $106,838,000
• Microloan Program: 45 loans for $745,369
• Surety Bond Program: 152 Surety Bonds for $106,221,172

In addition to traditional SBA lending programs, SBA Covid-relief programs were essential to the recovery of small businesses in the district. Over 211,000 loans were approved through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for more than $7 billion. The average PPP loan in the district was $37,410. The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program has disbursed over $24 billion in Texas as of October 21st, and the EIDL program continues to accept applications until December 31, 2021.

Over 155 lenders approved loans under the SBA 7(a) program, which is the SBA’s primary program for providing financial assistance to small businesses. The top industries to receive funding through the program include gasoline stations, hotels, restaurants, and child day care services.

Top 7(a) Lenders in Houston District by dollar amount:

Top 7(a) lenders in Houston District by number of units:

Over the last year, the staff in the Houston District Office have hosted over 720 webinars, reaching more than 28,600 individuals via online engagements. The webinars highlighted various topics, including access to capital, federal contracting, PPP forgiveness, EIDL guidance, and many more events that helped connect entrepreneurs to the information they needed to succeed in business. Businesses are encouraged to connect with SBA Resource Partners for free business advising and additional guidance on SBA programs, including SCORE Houston, the Texas Gulf Coast Small Business Development Center network, WBEA-Women’s Business Center, and the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce Women’s Business Center.