Financial & Technical Assistance
Local, state, and federal opportunities for financial assistance including grants, loans, and technical assistance.
Local Assistance
El Paso County Faster Program
Beginning on January 5, 2021, the County of El Paso has made $10 million available to aid small businesses located in El Paso County which have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 through its Financial Assistance for Safety, Technology and Economic Resilience (FASTER) program. This assistance is available in several forms, including grants, loans, and technical assistance.
Funding Tier Prioritization:
January 5, 2021:
Tier I: $6 million will be available to businesses located outside of the City of El Paso and within El Paso County.
Tier II: $4 million will be available to businesses located within El Paso city limits.
March 5, 2021:
Any remaining Tier I funds will be made available to any business located within El Paso County, including businesses located within El Paso city limits.
Qualifications: Non-Profit organizations and businesses located in El Paso County that can demonstrate a negative impact due to COVID-19 and who have implemented a health and safety policy pursuant to County Judge’s Orders. We strongly encourage your business to take the Pledge to Safety.
For all FASTER program guidelines and qualifications click HERE
Click here for a list of answers to frequently asked questions.
For available program applications and information, please continue scrolling down and see below.
Note: The financial assistance provided by these programs comes in several forms. Many programs, such as grants, do not need to be repaid; however, they may be considered taxable income. Others, such as loans, have loan forgiveness opportunities. Please read the terms of the programs carefully. Businesses may apply to combine both grant and loan opportunities but the total awards shall not exceed the maximum loan allowed. However, businesses are encouraged to limit their application(s) to one loan provider (Community Foundation, LiftFund, PeopleFund) and one grant provider (EP Chamber, El Paso Hispanic Chamber) to streamline processing of applications. Technical assistance grants offered by Workforce Borderplex Solutions may be combined with other grant and loan programs as well.
Disclaimer: FASTER Program information presented here is subject to change upon final approval by the El Paso County Commissioners Court in January 2021. The program information is intended to provide awareness of the program guidelines and proposed FASTER Program Administrators. Any updates to the program will be shared via this website.
For any questions on the programs please contact the El Paso County Economic Development Department at [email protected]
Technology Solutions Grant Program
Administered By:
Workforce Solutions Borderplex
Assistance Amount:
Based on Needs
Program Type:
Technical & Equipment Acquisition Assistance for Local Businesses
Small Loan Programs
Administered By:
LiftFund
Loan Amounts:
Up to $50K
Program Type:
Zero Interest & Forgivable Loan Program
Program Description:
LiftFund loans are provided for Commercial Real Estate Purchases, Equipment, Inventory, Leasehold Improvements, Supplies, Vehicles and Working Capital. Apply now and a team member will review your information and documents to find a LiftFund product that fits your business goals and budget.
LiftFund Events
Administered By:
LiftFund
Assistance Amounts:
Vary based on need
Program Description:
LiftFund’s events cover a wide range of training to help small business owners learn new skills, navigate the complexities of business ownership, and meet other members of LiftFund’s community. See which LiftFunds events can help you grow your business.
LiftFund Dream Makers Fund
Administered By:
LiftFund
Assistance Amounts:
Vary based on need
Program Description:
LiftFund offers small business loans to entrepreneurs who are ready to grow and strengthen their businesses. LiftFund provides loans for Commercial Real Estate Purchases, Equipment, Inventory, Leasehold Improvements, Supplies, Vehicles, and Working Capital.
Large Loan Program
Administered By:
Borderplex Community Capital (EP Community Foundation)
Loan Amounts:
$35k to 125K
Program Type:
Zero Interest & Forgivable Loan Program
Commercial Assistance Grant Programs
Administered By:
El Paso Chamber & El Paso Hispanic Chamber
Assistance Amounts:
Up to $10,000
Program Type:
Microgrants for Commercial Mortgage/Rental & Utility Assistance
Build Safe Grant
Programs
Administered By:
El Paso Chamber & El Paso Hispanic Chamber
Assistance Amounts:
Up to $10,000
Program Type:
Microgrants Supporting Operational Safety Improvements (PPE/Guards/Signage)
Financial and Technical Assistance/Training
El Paso Small Business Development Center
Administered By:
SBDC
Assistance Amounts:
Vary based on need
Program Description:
The El Paso Small Business Development Center provides no-cost business advising to help small business owners grow their business in a smart way. EPSBDC also provides no-cost training through seminars and online training.
Don't miss out on local financial assistance opportunities for small bussinesses.
Sign up to receive information regarding grants, loans, and services as they become available.
NOTE: This is NOT an application for grants, loans, or services. It is your responsibility to reach out directly to program administrators of the various grant, loan, and assistance programs if they have not contacted you directly. For assistance please contact the El Paso County Economic Development Department at [email protected] or call (915) 546-2177
State & Federal Assistance
SBA COVID-19 Private Funding Options
A resource of private funding options to help small businesses. Browse options available nationally, or input a zip code to explore location-specific funding.
El Paso County Healthy Food Financing Initiative
The El Paso County Healthy Food Financing Initiative is a public-private partnership that offers grants and loans to support and accelerate the construction, establishment, rehabilitation, and/or expansion of food retail and food retail infrastructure that will increase healthy food options for currently underserved residents of El Paso County.
Available Funds:
- $500,000 in grants from El Paso County
- $500,000 in low-intrest loans from PeopleFund
Eligible Applicants: businesses or non-profit organizations; may be regional grocery chains, national grocery chains, singular grocery retail outlets, food hubs, farmer’s markets, mobile markets, other food retailers, and real estate developers.
Eligible Activities: pre-development, site assembly & improvement, construction & rehabilitation, equipment, staffing, staff training, security, inventory & working capital, marketing & nutrition education.
