In my travels across Georgia and the nation, I have worked tirelessly to promote the SBA’s national mission of helping entrepreneurs and leaders start, grow, and expand their businesses.  During these past few months since the outbreak of the Covid-19 Pandemic,  I've gained an astounding confirmation at roundtables, virtual townhalls, radio interviews, hundreds of phone calls, and emails, that the key component to the success of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is due to the significant level of local participation, local and federal collaboration, and  support at the  community level.  

Over 800 lenders including banks, credit unions and CDFI’s have approved over 130,000 loans to Georgia small businesses, faith-based institutions, and non-profits in Savannah and throughout the state. This $14 billion in approved PPP loans to Georgia entrepreneurs will have a long-lasting impact on our economy.  Positive economic growth is already underway in many local cities and counties like Savannah and Chatham County. 

We are encouraged by all SBA PPP lenders including banks like First Chatham Bank, Bank of Newington, and Morris Bank  that have been resourcefully funding family-owned and small businesses  without acclaim according to BECKY BROWNLEE, Area Manager of the Savannah Small Business Development Center(SBDC). 

I am happy to be an advocate for you as we continue the recovery process from the global COVID-19 pandemic.  Recently, SBA and the U.S. Department of Treasury made some improvements to the PPP program.  SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza was recently quoted regarding The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act. “This bill will provide businesses with more time and flexibility to keep their employees on the payroll and ensure their continued operations as we safely reopen our country. We look forward to getting the American people back to work as quickly as possible.”

If you are a business owner who needs direction on how to best access the remaining 100+ billion dollars remaining for this last round of PPP fund disbursements, I encourage you to quickly reach out to Ms. Brownlee and her capable staff of counselors at the SBDC located  513 East Oglethorpe Avenue, Suite M,   Savannah, GA 31401-4410, Phone: (912) 651-3200. They will offer no cost, confidential counseling, to assist you before the upcoming deadline of June 30^th. 

SMALL BUSINESS PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM 

The Paycheck Protection Program provides small businesses with funds to pay payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities.

All Small Businesses Eligible: Small businesses with 500 or fewer employees—including nonprofits, veterans’ organizations, tribal concerns, self-employed individuals, sole proprietorships, and independent contractors—are eligible. Businesses with more than 500 employees are eligible in

certain industries.  

For more information on PPP, please visit www.sba.gov and follow us on Twitter @SBASoutheast.