On Wednesday, Sept. 9, SBA Office of Rural Affairs & Regional Administrator Daniel Nordberg; and Associate Administrator for the Office of Field Operations and Regional Administrator for Region IX Michael Vallante are meeting with small business owners who are benefiting from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The rural small businesses are representative of the more than 85,771 loans totaling over $8 billion dollars provided to Arizona’s small business owners through the PPP. The goal of the visit is to discuss how SBA and USDA can ensure rural small businesses have access to financial assistance and to engage with stakeholders in order to increase economic opportunities for rural entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Media Availabilities:
10:10AM-11:10AM Northland Rural Therapy Associates
2915 North 4th Street, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Family owned company that specializes in physical, occupational, and speech therapy. They offer special programs for kids with ADD, autism, and learning disabilities. This small business received a Paycheck Protection Loan between $150K-350K. http://www.nrtatherapy.com/
*Media Opportunity – Please RSVP, information below
1:00PM-2:00PM-Small Business visit at Lowell Observatory
1400 West Mars Hill Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Lowell Observatory established in Flagstaff in 1894, and it is one of the oldest observatories in the U.S., designated as a Historical National Landmark in 1965. The Observatory received a Paycheck Protection Loan. www.lowell.edu
*Media Opportunity – Please RSVP, information below
*Media must contact Miryam Barajas at 916-500-3249 or at miryam.barajas@sba.gov no later than 3pm PT Tuesday, Sept. 8, to confirm participation.
Background: On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, which established the Paycheck Protection Program, into law. The PPP was designed to provide economic relief to small businesses and non-profits affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since creation, several efforts, including additional monies, dedicated processing and funding for smaller and community lending institutions and more flexibility, have been implemented to ensure all small businesses could access PPP relief and keep their employees on payroll.
Partnership with USDA
In April 2017, President Trump issued an Executive Order promoting agriculture and rural prosperity. In support of that effort, the SBA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the USDA that commits to a deeper collaboration and coordination of resources.
The SBA is working to increase access to capital, improve opportunities for public and private investments in rural America, help rural businesses export products around the world, and increase the resiliency of rural communities through small business development. The effort aims to achieve the President’s vision of a rural America with world-class resources, and the tools and support necessary to build robust and sustainable communities.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
