CORPUS CHRISTI (Kiii News) -
What started out as a hobby turned into a thriving business for one Corpus Christi photographer.
Priscilla Boren, owner of D&P Photography, was one of 30 local business owners who were awarded grants on Thursday to help their businesses grow even more. It is part of a statewide effort to help small businesses.
ACCIÓN Texas, a non-profit microlending company, has made more than 500 loans totaling more than $7-million to Corpus Christi businesses; and Thursday, they rewarded those 30 borrowers for simply paying their loans on time.
One by one, their names were called at Del Mar College's Center for Economic Development. Each one a business owner. Each one fulfilling their commitment to grow their business and provide jobs.
"We're serving hundreds and hundreds of people every month," said Janie Barrera, president and CEO of ACCIÓN Texas.
Barrera started ACCIÓN Texas as a way to help small business owners in Texas, but the company has now expanded to seven other states, helping business owners like Boren.
Together with the City of Corpus Christi, ACCIÓN Texas has generated more than 350 low-interest loans, totaling more than $5-million; money that's creating hundreds of local jobs.
