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Programs designed to assist small businesses have been reopened

Brad Bapst
SBDC Director

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at The Ohio State University South Centers is continuing to serve the needs of businesses in our region. The SBDC is monitoring the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and, with the information and guidance provided by the university, state, and federal government, is taking all necessary precautions to reduce the spread of the virus. 

“The safety and well-being of our clients, training attendees and staff is of utmost importance to us.  We are continuing to offer one-on-one advising services with our clients in situations where meetings can be conducted safely,” said South Centers SBDC Director Brad Bapst. “We also continue to utilize telephone, e-mail, social media, and video conferencing to conduct counseling with clients. Our training events, however, continue to be conducted exclusively online. 

Bapst added that the program’s top priority is to help businesses survive throughout this challenging time, and he and his team continue to provide information to businesses that might be applicable to their financial needs.  Recently, Congress extended access to some programs designed to help businesses financially survive the current economic crisis. Below are highlights of those programs. Please contact the SBDC if you have any additional questions concerning these programs or if you have other business needs.

Paycheck Protection Program
The U.S. Small Business Administration has recently reopened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers as of the week of January 11, 2021. 
These small business (< 500 employees) loans are designed to support payroll and certain other expenses. Loans are available for up to 2.5 times (and 3.5 times for restaurants) the average monthly payroll of a business during the year preceding the application, with a maximum loan of $10 million.

If all employees are kept on payroll, SBA will forgive the portion of the loans used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest or utilities – for up to eight weeks after the loan is issued and up to 100% of the loan. 
This round of the PPP continues to prioritize millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $284 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses through March 31, 2021, and by allowing certain existing PPP borrowers to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan.

Key PPP updates include:

  • PPP borrowers can set their PPP loan’s covered period to be any length between eight and 24 weeks to best meet their business needs.
  • PPP loans will cover additional expenses, including operations expenditures, property damage costs, supplier costs, and worker protection expenditures.
  • The program’s eligibility is expanded to include 501(c)(6)s, housing cooperatives, direct marketing organizations, among other types of organizations.
  • The PPP provides greater flexibility for seasonal employees.
  • Certain existing PPP borrowers can request to modify their First Draw PPP Loan amount.
  • Certain existing PPP borrowers are now eligible to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan.
  • A borrower is generally eligible for a Second Draw PPP Loan if the borrower:
  • Previously received a First Draw PPP Loan and will or has used the full amount only for authorized uses.
  • Has no more than 300 employees.
  • Can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020.
  • Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that the deadline to apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program for the COVID-19 pandemic disaster declaration is extended to December 31, 2021. 

The deadline extension is part of the recent bipartisan COVID-19 relief bill passed by Congress and enacted by former President Trump on December 27.
 To date, the SBA has approved $197 billion in low-interest loans, which provide working capital funds to small businesses, nonprofits, and agricultural businesses to make it through this challenging time.
EIDL loan applications will continue to be accepted through December 2021, pending the availability of funds. Loans are offered at very affordable terms, with a 3.75% interest rate for small businesses and 2.75% interest rate for nonprofit organizations, a 30-year maturity, and an automatic deferment of one year before monthly payments begin. 

Every eligible small business and nonprofit are encouraged to apply to get the resources they need.
For more information on SBA’s assistance to small businesses, visit www.sba.gov