CHAGRIN FALLS, OH – This week, Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) joined the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in hosting a federal relief update webinar for small businesses in Northeast Ohio. The event addressed Congress’ most recent COVID-19 relief package and information regarding the support programs designed to help small businesses endure the impacts of the pandemic, including new guidelines and resources for various SBA programs, such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans.

“I was glad to join the SBA today to keep constituents across Ohio’s 14th Congressional District informed as we work to support their businesses, protect their jobs, and reignite our economy,” said Joyce. “In December, Congress passed a relief package to provide Americans with additional tools and resources to help them keep their heads above water during the ongoing pandemic. It’s critical that Northeast Ohio small businesses know what resources were made available by that legislation and most importantly, how to access and apply for them.”

“We appreciated the opportunity to present our COVID-19 relief programs for small businesses and non-profits,” said Gil Goldberg, SBA Northern Ohio District Director.  “These programs, such as the PPP, first-draw and second-draw, as well as the enhanced SBA guarantee of up to 90 percent coupled with Debt Relief, plus the Shuttered Venue Grant Program should help these small businesses and non-profits get to the other side of the pandemic. As of February 7th, nationally 1.3 million PPP loans were approved for a total of 101 billion.”

In December, Joyce voted for the Consolidated Appropriations and Coronavirus Relief Act, 2021, which included $284 billion for the PPP. Since the historically successful program was created by the CARES Act, more than 174,031 PPP first and second draw loans totaling $20.782 billion have been approved for Ohio businesses (figure reflects all loans given through January 31, 2021). For more information about resources available to support small businesses during the ongoing pandemic, click here.

To watch a recording of the webinar, click here.