Photo: Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II
On Apil 27, the Whitmer administration along with the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) and the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA), announced that businesses across Michigan are now able to apply for an additional $310 billion in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgivable loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Businesses that have not yet applied are encouraged to do so quickly. Businesses that have pending applications are encouraged to verify their application status with their lender.
Michigan small businesses (per SBA size standards) – including hospitality and food industry businesses and sole proprietorships, independent contractors and self-employed persons – are eligible to apply for loans through The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to help ensure employees continue receiving paychecks. The PPP loans were designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll and may be forgiven if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest or utilities.
There continues to be a significant need for additional resources to support small businesses facing many challenges in the face of the COVID-19 virus, according to Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II.
“This additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program offers much-needed financial support for our small businesses and their workers to help them get through this tough time,” Gilchrist said.
Brian Calley, president of the Small Business Association of Michigan recommends that businesses double check with their lending institution to confirm that their application is still in line for a PPP loan. Businesses that haven’t applied should act quickly since this money will be committed in a very short time, according to Calley.
Bob Doyle, MICPA president & CEO, also encourages any small business looking for assistance through the PPP to act now. He said there may not be additional PPP funding authorized by Congress in the future
“While we are looking at every resource possible to support our small businesses and workforce in the face of the significant challenges they are facing, we know that the Paycheck Protection Program will be paramount to economic recovery efforts in the state,” said Mark Burton, CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
More than 43,000 businesses in Michigan impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak received more than $10 billion in forgivable loans during the first round of PPP funding. Nationally, $349 billion was authorized for the initial round of PPP, all of which was committed by April 16 – less than two weeks after the application period opened – demonstrating the continued need for small business relief.
The MIpaycheckprotection.com website includes key PPP eligibility information, videos and instructions to help with the application process, information on authorized SBA lenders and more. This Michigan Paycheck Protection Program website was built through a collaboration between the Small Business Association of Michigan, Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA), the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan SBDC.
Through the MEDC, michiganbusiness.org/covid19 also features other resources for businesses across Michigan to assist them in recovering from economic losses as a result of the COVID-19 virus. This includes U.S. Small Business Administration emergency loans, support services offered through the SBDC and more. The MEDC has also developed a FAQ webpage for Michigan businesses and communities at michiganbusiness.org/covid19-faq.
