FORT WORTH, Texas – Two months after an explosion rocked the Sandman Signature Fort Worth Downtown Hotel, businesses in the surrounding area are still feeling the impact. In response, the Fort Worth Local Development Corp. approved $250,000 in funding for a small business disaster recovery stimulus program on March 26. This program aims to assist businesses affected by the blast, offering grants of up to $50,000 to help them recover.
To qualify for this assistance, businesses must have a physical brick-and-mortar location near the Sandman Hotel at 810 Houston St., employ between one and 50 people, demonstrate a decline in employment or revenue due to the explosion, be a City of Fort Worth utility customer, and be in good standing with city requirements such as licensing, permits, utility payments, and property taxes. The funds can be used for various expenses, including rent or mortgage payments, employee salaries, insurance, and utility bills.
Applications for the funding will be reviewed and awarded by the end of April. Ori Fernandez, Fort Worth’s assistant director of economic development, mentioned that businesses will be asked to provide multiple years of financial records to determine the impact of the explosion on their operations. A comprehensive evaluation will be conducted to ensure that the businesses receive the appropriate amount of assistance based on their circumstances.
Robert Sturns, Fort Worth’s economic development director, highlighted that businesses in the service sector, such as Barber’s Bookstore, speakeasy bar Thompson’s Bookstore, and La’Creamian ice cream shop, are likely candidates to apply for support. However, the cause of the January explosion, which injured 21 people and caused temporary closures of nearby businesses, is still under investigation.
In response to the incident, a commercial remodel permit was filed for the hotel’s restoration, with a job value exceeding $1.5 million. Despite these efforts, Northland Properties, the owner of the Sandman Hotel, has not provided information on their plans for the hotel’s restoration. The Sandman Hotel, located in the historic W.T. Waggoner Building in Fort Worth, opened in March 2023 and received incentives of $8 million to launch in the city.
As businesses in the area continue to recover from the aftermath of the explosion, the funding program initiated by the Fort Worth Local Development Corp. serves as a lifeline for those impacted, offering a pathway to rebuilding and revitalization.