Staff Report
KYLE – Kyle Landscaping Services was one of 18 small businesses that was given funding through first round of the Hays County Emergency Cash Assistance Program (ECAP).
A family-owned and operated enterprise, Kyle Landscaping Services was awarded $7,000. The business had experienced losses as several employees, including mechanics, contracted COVID-19.
Business owner Diego Rangel called the assistance a “lifeline.” “Without this grant, I would be with two broken-down machines and I’d be out two work crews.”
Rangel said his employees who were sick have now recovered and he plans to use the money to repair equipment and give bonuses and raises to his employees who have been able to return to work. With the repaired equipment, Rangel hopes to hire more workers and start running an additional crew.
“This is a great opportunity to start again,” Rangel said. “If I had not known about this grant, I would not have been able to sustain my business and create more job opportunities for guys looking for full-time work. This is one of the best things that’s happened to us this year.”
The grants come from a $600,000 fund that got $500,000 from the county and $100,000 from the city of Kyle. The program was initiated by the commissioners court and is administered by the Greater San Marcos Partnership (GSMP) and PeopleFund. The fund will provide a grant of up to $10,000 to qualifying small businesses on a first-come, first served basis until Dec. 31, or when funding runs out, whichever is first.
Applications are still being accepted for the ECAP grant fund. Full details about the program can be found at HaysCountyECAP.com.
