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Business Upturn
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
Administrator Loeffler Joins President Trump to Offer Federal Support in Wake of Texas Disaster
By GlobeNewswire Published on July 12, 2025, 03:55 IST KERR COUNTY, TEXAS, July 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Kelly Loeffler, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), joined President Donald J. Trump in Kerr County, Texas to offer federal disaster relief after storms devastated the region. Alongside Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner, Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins, and members of Congress, Loeffler met with local leaders and received updates from state emergency management officials. 'The tragic loss of life in Texas Hill Country is truly heartbreaking – but the strength and the support of this community is clear,' said Administrator Loeffler. 'Our commitment extends far beyond today's visit, and this Administration is mobilizing every available resource to aid in recovery. As President Trump said, the full force of the federal government is behind Texas – including the SBA, where we are already offering disaster loans and on-the-ground support for residents and small businesses. Our prayers remain with the people of Texas, and we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with them on the road to recovery.' As the agency announced earlier this week, SBA disaster relief is now available for Texas small businesses, residents, and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding in seven counties. The disaster declaration covers the primary Texas county of Kerr which is eligible for both physical disaster loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) from the SBA. Small businesses and most PNP organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA EIDLs: Bandera, Edwards, Gillespie, Kendall, Kimble, and Real. Currently, the SBA has more than 70 staffers on the ground in Texas to assist with disaster recovery. The agency has also opened its first Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Kerr County, where individuals may come to receive hands-on assistance with disaster loan applications: SBA Business Recovery CenterThe YES Center at First Presbyterian Church823 North StreetKerrville, TX 87028Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM CT Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM CT Texans affected by the flooding are encouraged to visit or call SBA's customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 to learn more about available aid. # # # About the U.S. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash GlobeNewswire provides press release distribution services globally, with substantial operations in North America and Europe.
Miami Herald
02-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
SBA approves Gov. Newsom's disaster relief request after LA protests
July 1 (UPI) -- The Trump administration has approved California Gov. Gavin Newsom's request for disaster relief following last month's riots in downtown Los Angeles, the Small Business Administration announced Tuesday. President Donald Trump and SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler approved the state's Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration that will allow small businesses to apply for up to $2 million in low-interest EIDL loans. "Gavin Newsom let the migrant mob torch Los Angeles," Loeffler wrote Tuesday in a post on X. "Now he's asking SBA for disaster relief to fix an estimated $1 billion in damage. It's another Newsom crisis that POTUS is cleaning up for law-abiding citizens and small businesses." SBA disaster assistance teams are also providing on-the-ground support to those impacted, according to Loeffler. Hundreds were arrested last month for looting and vandalism at dozens of businesses after days of protests directed at Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. During the riots, the Trump administration deployed thousands of National Guard troops to help law enforcement officers, who called the "unlawful and dangerous behavior" a "concerning escalation" after demonstrators flooded LA streets and freeways. Newsom blamed Trump's decision to call up the National Guard for creating the escalation, calling it a "breach of state sovereignty." "We didn't have a problem until Trump got involved," Newsom said on June 8. "This is a serious breach of state sovereignty -- inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they're actually needed." Days later, Trump accused Newsom of failing to protect communities and said without the intervention, Los Angeles "would be burning to the ground right now." Newsom has not commented on California's disaster relief approval. "Gov. Newsom allowed a mob to rampage Los Angeles -- standing with violent rioters, paid protesters and criminal illegal aliens over law-abiding citizens. Despite an estimated $1 billion in damage, he refused federal relief for weeks, insisting that the riots were peaceful even as small business owners stood in the rubble," said Loeffler. "Although the SBA has approved California's disaster relief request and will begin delivering immediate aid to the innocent victims, Gov. Newsom must take accountability for his state-sanctioned crisis." Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Fox News
01-07-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Trump admin approves Newsom's request to 'bail him out' of damage left by violent LA riots: SBA
FIRST ON FOX: The Trump administration approved millions in disaster relief loans for small businesses that were rocked by the anti-ICE riots that plagued Los Angeles in June after Gov. Gavin Newsom downplayed the riots and blamed the violence on the Trump administration, Fox News Digital exclusively learned on Tuesday. Small Business Administration chief Kelly Loeffler announced in a press release first shared with Fox News Digital on Tuesday that Newsom's government had applied for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) declaration, which the administration quickly approved. Small businesses are now able to apply for up to $2 million in low-interest EIDL loans "to support working capital and normal operating expenses such as payroll, rent, and utilities that could not be met due to the destruction enabled by Newsom's failed governance," according to the SBA. "Governor Newsom allowed a mob to rampage Los Angeles – standing with violent rioters, paid protestors, and criminal illegal aliens over law-abiding citizens. Despite an estimated $1 billion in damage, he refused federal relief for weeks, insisting that the riots were peaceful even as small business owners stood in the rubble," Loeffler said in the press release. "Although the SBA has approved California's disaster relief request and will begin delivering immediate aid to the innocent victims, Governor Newsom must take accountability for his state-sanctioned crisis – and stop playing politics with Americans' livelihoods." The press release noted that the request followed "weeks of no real solutions and inflammatory social media statements" until the governor "finally requested federal disaster relief to bail him out – again." The relief follows SBA previously approving an additional 11,583 loans that totaled $2.99 billion in relief earlier this year following the California wildfire disasters in January, Fox News Digital learned, and marked the largest sum of disaster dollars ever approved by SBA for non-hurricane or flooding events. Loeffler had previously called on Newsom to request an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Declaration back in June in order for the agency to approve funds to assist small business owners in Los Angeles "that have been ransacked by rioters." "We're giving Gavin Newsom the opportunity to stop siding with criminal illegal aliens and start siding with law-abiding Americans – many of whom have lost everything to the violent and destructive riots across Los Angeles," Loeffler said in a statement on June 12. "The migrant mob has looted stores, destroyed storefronts, and committed criminal acts of vandalism against our small businesses. Although local leaders are allowing Los Angeles to burn, federal partners are ready to help American citizens rebuild – and we will do so, as soon as the Governor answers their call for help." A spokesperson for Gov. Newsom doubled down on Tuesday in a statement to Fox News Digital, blaming last month's violence in Los Angeles on the Trump administration, while also celebrating the SBA's approval of relief for affected California businesses. "Finally, the federal government is doing the right thing to pay for the damages several small businesses have suffered from the Trump-imposed chaos campaign in Los Angeles. California businesses shouldn't have to shoulder the burden of Trump's authoritarian tirade," a Newsom spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Tuesday. Riots broke out in L.A. the evening of June 6, after federal law enforcement officials converged on the city to carry out immigration raids. State and local leaders, such as Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Newsom, quickly denounced the raids in public statements while offering words of support for illegal immigrants in the state. Protests over the raids soon devolved into violence as rioters targeted federal law enforcement officials, including launching rocks at officials, with videos showing people looting local stores, setting cars on fire and taking over streets. Los Angeles officials reported in June that the city incurred nearly $20 million in costs over the riots, including in police overtime and to repair damage to government buildings, the LA Times previously reported. Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard members to help quell the violence, which bypassed the governor, who typically activates the National Guard, while the administration additionally deployed hundreds of Marines to respond to anti-raid chaos. California subsequently sued the Trump administration for deploying the National Guard, which Newsom said in a press release "needlessly escalated chaos and violence in the Los Angeles region." A federal appeals court ultimately ruled in Trump's favor in the case. Federal officials pinned blame for the violence on Democratic elected officials who have "villainized and demonized" ICE law enforcement, Fox News Digital previously reported. "The violent targeting of law enforcement in Los Angeles by lawless rioters is despicable and Mayor Bass and Governor Newsom must call for it to end," Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin wrote in a statement in June as the violence continued. "The men and women of ICE put their lives on the line to protect and defend the lives of American citizens … From comparisons to the modern-day Nazi gestapo to glorifying rioters, the violent rhetoric of these sanctuary politicians is beyond the pale. This violence against ICE must end." Newsom rejected characterizing the violence as "riots" in social media posts or interviews, instead pinning blame for the chaos on Trump and the administration for its immigration policies and "exacerbating" the violence by activating the National Guard. "Donald Trump has created the conditions you see on your TV tonight. He's exacerbated the conditions. He's, you know, lit the proverbial match. He's putting fuel on this fire ever since he announced he was taking over the National Guard, an illegal act, an immoral act, an unconstitutional act, and we're going to test that theory with a lawsuit tomorrow," Newsom said on June 9 when asked if he would describe the events as "riots" or "peaceful protests." President Donald Trump and Newsom repeatedly traded barbs on social media and during public remarks throughout the protests and riots, with the president arguing Los Angeles would have been destroyed if he had not stepped in. "Incompetent Gavin Newscum should have been THANKING me for the job we did in Los Angeles, rather than making sad excuses for the poor job he has done. If it weren't for me getting the National Guard into Los Angeles, it would be burning to the ground right now!" Trump posted to Truth Social on June 12. The violence and protests quelled following the national "No Kings Day" protests on June 14, when Trump simultaneously held a military parade in Washington, D.C., honoring the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. The pair also traded blows in January as Trump slammed Newsom for his leadership amid the devastating wildfires that gripped the Los Angeles area. Trump pinned blame on Newsom for not better preparing to prevent wildfires, while Newsom's office accused Trump of "playing politics" while they focused on ending the devastation. Newsom touted on Monday that his state has "invested billions of dollars to fight fires" and called on Trump "to put his money where his mouth is" and help protect communities from wildfires. "California has done more than our fair share of 'raking' the forests, now the federal government has to do its part to Make America Rake Again. We've invested billions of dollars and treated millions of acres – more than doubling our state investment from when I took office. We're doing all we can to protect communities from catastrophic wildfire, will President Trump?" Newsom said, according to his office's press release.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CT business owner admits to using $1.1M in COVID relief funds for travel, jewelry, cars
An East Granby woman has pleaded guilty to federal charges and has agreed to pay restitution in connection with a scheme in which authorities said she defrauded COVID-19 pandemic relief programs of more than $1.1 million. Karen Gaston, 44, appeared in federal court in New Haven on Thursday and waived her right to be indicted, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut. She pleaded guilty to wire fraud and making illegal monetary transactions. According to federal authorities, Gaston in 2020 controlled a number of businesses, some of which were active while one was not and another had only one client. These included LNK, Elegant Clinical, Ruby Red LLC and Diamond Shine LLC. LNK and Diamond Shine LLC were operational but shared resources and employees, officials said. Ruby Red LLC had only one client and Gaston was its sole employee, according to authorities. Elegant Clinical was no longer operational. Beginning around April 2020, Gaston submitted loan applications to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) — both of which provided emergency funds under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The applications Gaston filed 'falsely represented the status of the operations, resources and employees' of the businesses she controlled, according to federal officials. She also reportedly filed loan applications at separate financial institutions 'in order to disguise the true nature of her criminal activity,' officials said. The loan applications falsely represented that her businesses were all active and operating, authorities said. They also falsely represented the number of employees and the amount of wages purportedly paid to them, which were outlined in fraudulent tax returns and tax related documents, according to officials. Authorities said Gaston also falsely represented that a family member — who was used as an applicant on an application — was a part owner of one of the businesses. Gaston reportedly received a little more than $1.1 million in PPP and EIDL loan funds through the scheme, according to officials. Instead of using the funds for payroll or other operating expenses, she reportedly spent the money on 'personal expenditures, including travel, food, luxury home goods, expensive jewelry, cars and paying off her home mortgage,' the U.S. Attorney's office said. As part of the plea deal, Gaston has agreed to pay full restitution. She also agreed to forfeit a $39,521 ring she purchased in July 2020 from the jeweler Harry Winston. Gaston is free on a $100,000 bond while she awaits sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled. She faces a maximum of 30 years in prison.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SBA offering low-interest loans to tornado-affected residents
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest disaster loans to individuals, businesses, and nonprofits impacted by the May 16 tornado that struck Laurel County. As of press time Tuesday afternoon, 79 — 61 homes, 13 businesses, and five EIDL (Economic Injury Disaster Loan) — Kentuckians have applied for an SBA disaster loan, and 17 home loan applications have been offered for just over $2.8 million. Eligible residents can receive in-person assistance at a Business Recovery Center now open in London. The center is at the Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation, located at 440 Old Whitley Road. It is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through July 2. SBA representatives are available on site to help applicants complete their forms and answer questions about loan programs. The SBA is providing several types of loans for those who suffered damage from the storms: — Business Physical Disaster Loans: Up to $2 million for businesses to repair or replace damaged property, equipment, inventory, or supplies. — Home Disaster Loans: Up to $500,000 for homeowners and renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including vehicles. — Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): Up to $2 million in Russell and 20 additional Kentucky counties for small businesses and nonprofits to help cover ongoing operating expenses such as payroll and rent. According to Public Affairs Specialist James "Jim" Accurso, interest rates can be as low as 2.688% for homeowners and renters, 4% for businesses, and 3.25% for nonprofits. Loan terms can extend up to 30 years. Accurso also shared there is no cost to apply, and residents are not obligated to accept a loan if offered. Survivors may additionally qualify for mitigation funds to help strengthen properties against future disasters. Although Accurso recommends visiting the center in person to receive guidance from trained customer service representatives, applications can also be completed online at
