Financial assistance available for small businesses Small business empowerment grant and last updated 2021-03-08 16:08:57-05 CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas â The United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce has created a program to address the ongoing need for financial assistance as the community continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. With the support of NEC co-op energy, Buckeye Partners, and Gulf Coast Growth Ventures, the program will administer $250 grants to awardees until all funds have been used. Applicants must meet all three of the following requirements: Employ 20 or fewer full-time or part-time employees (or equivalent) at all business locations. Must have been in business prior to March 2020.