InfoSearched
Published -
- April 17, 2020
- 2:37 am
Loan program running out of money.
It’s been reported that much of the money reserved for small businesses isn’t going to the people who need it most; over 22 million people lost their jobs in the last month.
What is the Small Business Loan Program and how does it help small businesses affected by the pandemic?
Small Business Loan Program Running Out of Money for Small Businesses
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced numerous businesses around the world to close their doors to customers in order to prevent the spread of the virus. As a result, many small businesses have struggled to stay afloat and are in dire need of financial assistance in order to survive the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. One of the main sources of funding for small businesses during this challenging period has been the Small Business Loan Program, which has been instrumental in keeping numerous small businesses afloat. However, with the increasing demand for funding, the program is running out of money for small businesses.
The Small Business Loan Program was created as a part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which aimed to provide financial assistance to businesses that have been affected by the pandemic. The Small Business Administration (SBA) was responsible for administering the program, which offered forgivable loans of up to $10 million to small businesses that could prove they were adversely affected by the pandemic. These loans were designed to help small businesses cover costs such as payroll, rent, and utilities.
The initial $349 billion allocated to the Small Business Loan Program was quickly exhausted within weeks of its launch in April 2020. This prompted lawmakers to approve an additional $310 billion in funding, which was also quickly exhausted. Currently, there are no more funds available for small businesses under the program, leaving many small business owners in distress.
Small business owners across the country are voicing their concerns over the lack of funding. The inability to access additional funding has forced them to lay off employees, cut hours, or even close their doors permanently. According to a recent survey conducted by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), only 20% of small businesses that applied for the Small Business Loan Program were approved for the full amount of the loan requested, while 30% received only partial funding.
The government must address this issue and find a way to provide more funding for small businesses. Small businesses are the backbone of the economy and are a vital part of the communities they serve. Therefore, it is essential that the government provides the much-needed support to enable small businesses to survive the pandemic and continue contributing to the economy.
In conclusion, the Small Business Loan Program has been a lifeline for small businesses during the pandemic, but with the program running out of funds, small business owners are left without the assistance they desperately need. As such, it is imperative that lawmakers take swift action to provide additional funding to the program to help small businesses navigate through these unprecedented times.
