A new opinion column in the Austin American-Statesman, “Texas helps quickly after a disaster. It must get faster at recovery.” calls attention to a persistent gap in the way Texas responds to disasters: Small businesses are essential to community recovery, yet many cannot access the timely, flexible assistance they need to survive.
The issue has become especially urgent in the Texas Hill Country. Many businesses were still recovering from the devastating July 2025 floods when the region was struck by severe flooding again. For these owners, this was not a new crisis. It was a second disaster layered on top of lost revenue, reduced staffing, depleted savings and unfinished rebuilding.
LiftFund’s experience following the 2025 floods demonstrates how long recovery can take. With support from community, corporate and philanthropic partners, LiftFund distributed approximately $15 million to more than 500 businesses.
Emergency fundraising is not permanent infrastructure
Philanthropy and community partnerships are critical. They allow organizations like LiftFund to move quickly when traditional assistance is delayed or unavailable.
But Texas should not have to rebuild its small business response system after every flood, wildfire or hurricane.
A permanent state Small Business Disaster Recovery Fund would allow Texas to have resources ready before the next emergency. It could provide immediate assistance for payroll, cleanup and reopening while also supporting the longer recovery period when businesses are rebuilding revenue, rehiring employees and managing new expenses.
The fund could be deployed through experienced community organizations, like LiftFund, with established local relationships and the ability to reach rural, underserved and very small businesses.
Most importantly, it could move at the speed small businesses need.
Small business recovery is community recovery
When a small business closes after a disaster, the consequences extend beyond the owner. Communities lose jobs, services, tax revenue and gathering places. Recovery slows for everyone.
The Statesman column offers Texas leaders a timely reminder: Disaster recovery should not depend on whether emergency funding can be assembled quickly enough after the damage is done.
Texas can build a permanent system that is prepared to act before temporary disruption becomes permanent closure.
