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Houston small business owner frustrated as SBA loan program runs out of money

Clay Harkey, the owner of Twisted Arrow Goods, said his business is struggling as larger corporate chains get federal dollars to keep running.

HOUSTON — The frustration continues for small business owners after the Small Business Administration announced it’s out of money to help those very owners.

Clay Harkey owns and runs Twisted Arrow Goods, a company that makes tailor-made leather goods.

Harkey said applying for help from the SBA has been an experience—and not a good one.

"The website said that they'd be getting back to you about more information that they needed, but I still haven’t heard back from anyone about that," says Harkey.

No SBA money has come his way.

He says he has noticed, though, how big restaurant chains like Potbelly and Ruth’s Chris Steak House have gotten millions in loans through the SBA.

"It’s frustrating, just because they're still making money and I'm not,” Harkey said. “I got bills to pay just like they do."

His regular business is not doing well during this pandemic, so he has turned to making and selling masks.

"Small small businesses like mine, I mean, if it wasn’t for the face masks, we would not survive," he said.

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