Loeffler secures Access to Small Business Loans 

After U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) pushed for Georgia farmers and nonprofit hospitals to have access to the same federal relief as other small businesses, the Trump administration is providing new guidance and clarity for nonprofit hospitals and farmers who want to apply for small business loans.  The U.S. Department of Treasury released clarifying guidance on how 501(a) nonprofit hospitals can apply for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Last week, Loeffler sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Small Business Administrator Jovita Carranza asking for clarification for non-profit hospitals that have not yet converted their status from 501(a) to 501(c)3, despite meeting all the conditions of a 501(c)3 hospital.  The Small Business Administration (SBA) also announced that agricultural businesses, including farmers and ranchers, are now eligible for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). Last month, Loeffler asked the SBA to ensure that farmers and agricultural businesses impacted by the coronavirus are able to apply for these loans.  “During the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been in constant communication with people across the Peach State to ensure that federal relief is working effectively and reaching Georgians. Through these conversations I learned that bureaucratic hurdles were preventing nonprofit hospitals and farmers from accessing critical federal assistance,” Loeffler said. “Both our hospitals and our farmers have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping all of us cared for and fed. I asked the administration to provide clarity so these essential organizations and businesses can access critical federal assistance that will ensure they can continue serving their communities now and after this crisis ends. I am grateful that Secretary Mnuchin and Administrator Carranza acted quickly in providing this guidance. Going forward, I will monitor the implementation to make sure Georgia hospitals and farmers are able to access this important funding stream.”  “I applaud the availability of this financial support for farmers and thank Senator Loeffler for her work on this issue,” said Georgia Farm Bureau President Gerald Long.  “The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has offered crucial support to employers across the nation, including many hospitals that need financial resources during this pandemic,” said Georgia Hospital Association President and CEO Earl Rogers. “The quick action by Governor Kemp and U.S. Senators Perdue and Loeffler will ensure that Georgia’s hospital authorities are not excluded from this assistance and will provide vital support to these facilities as they continue to serve their patients and communities.”