SBA Streamlining Programs To Help Small Businesses Hit Hard By Coronavirus
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Ranjeeta Rath, owner of the Yoga Retreat in Southlake, said the first thing she does every morning is check her computer to see if the SBA has approved any of the three loans she's applied for. "It's a waiting game right now."
Rath applied for an economic injury disaster loan, a loan advance of up to $10,000 from the same program, which is supposed to be provided within days of applying, and the PPP or Paycheck Protection Program.
The PPP provides forgivable loans as long as they're used to cover payroll costs and keep the number of employees and their salaries the same.
Rath said, "They haven't contacted me. I really need them to contact me but then it says you can not call the bank."
It's not just Rath.
CBS 11 has heard from other small business owners with the same frustration.
Now, the SBA said it's making adjustments to its programs.
In a statement about the Paycheck Protection Program, an agency spokeswoman said, "We continue to streamline our programs and guidelines to make them more efficient and easier for small businesses to access. Our goal is to make sure we can deliver as much money as we can to the most small businesses affected."
The SBA says as of Monday, April 13 in Texas, the agency approved nearly 89,000 loans worth nearly $22 billion.
It's part of the bill passed by Congress and signed by the President authorizing up to $350 billion in loans to small businesses during the Covid-19 crisis.
They're forgivable loans as long as they're used to cover payroll costs and keep the number of employees and their salaries the same.
The SBA has another program for economic injury disaster loans and loan advances for up to $10,000.
No word how many loans the SBA has approved for that program.
This chart shows a break out by industry that are receiving loans nationwide.
Nationwide, the SBA says it's approved more than one million loans worth more than $247 million from nearly 4,700 lenders.
No word yet how many economic disaster assistance loans or loan advances the SBA has approved just yet.
To find a lender, people can go to the SBA's website and find a list searchable by zip code.
Rath said after seeing big jumps in business in February and early March, she had to shut down her studio after spring break when Covid-19 hit. "At the end of the month, we all have bills to pay."
For now, Rath said she is offering classes online for free — and is still paying her employees half of what they used to make by taking the money out of her savings. "I don't know what to do. It's the uncertainty of time is what hits me. But yoga at the same time I would say has been helping me to stay calm through these times."
The SBA says the most up-to-date information on loan programs and frequently asked questions can be found here.
The agency is also holding two webinars for small business owners.
April 16, at 1:00 PM Eastern/10:00 AM Pacific Brian Pifer with the Small Business Majority will present National Resources and Policy Updates for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 about the new loan programs made available by the CARES Act, resources related to COVID-19 and policy recommendations to bolster small business owners right now.
April 28 at at 1:00 PM Eastern/10:00 AM Pacific, Amanda Brinkman and Deluxe will present Marketing Advice to Combat an Economic Downturn. This webinar will provide actionable marketing strategies to help clients keep their customers engaged.