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Small businesses struggle with the pandemic and protests

Jun 11, 2020
Small businesses, already under strain from COVID-19 lockdowns, are trying to navigate how they engage with their communities and employees during ongoing protests.
Antoine Tate shampoos a single client in a room at LocLov salon in Washington, D.C.  Normally, multiple clients and stylists would be in the room.
Kimberly Adams/Marketplace

Congress passes legislation to extend PPP loan deadlines

Jun 4, 2020
One change: Businesses will have more time to spend their loans and still qualify for forgiveness.
The legislation defers payroll taxes for businesses getting the loans, and it gives them more time to repay any part of a loan that isn’t forgiven.
David McNew/Getty Images

As Congress weighs easing PPP rules, small businesses like what they hear

May 27, 2020
Among the proposed changes: more time to spend and pay back the funds, fewer restrictions on how to use it
A shuttered New York City business district in mid-May. Some of the rules that make the PPP confusing for businesses may change.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

For some small businesses, the uncertainties of reopening might be greater than lockdown

May 25, 2020
A vintage cafe and clothing store adapted to lockdown with a new business model. What will a partial reopening mean?
Heartfelt Vintage usually serves teas and cakes to its customers.
Courtesy Kate Ashwell

Businesses navigate uncertainty around reopening rules

May 25, 2020
Business owners are calling the NFIB with questions about how different rules work in different states, and sometimes different counties within those states.
As states — and counties — begin reopening at different stages, it can be hard for businesses to know what they can and can't do.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

SBA says PPP loans are getting smaller in the second round of lending

May 20, 2020
Business advocates say that's a sign smaller businesses are finally getting the loans they applied for.
The SBA's changes for the latest round of lending appear to be helping smaller businesses.
Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

Treasury offers new guidance on PPP loan forgiveness

May 19, 2020
The new application form for the forgiveness program offers some clarification on significant points.
The new guidelines mean businesses can bring back fewer employees and still meet the Treasury’s forgiveness requirements.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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Banks eager to help clients get PPP cash while funds are available

May 4, 2020
The second round of Paycheck Protection Program funding has yet to be exhausted.
An empty coffee shop in New York. Many small businesses may rely on the second round of PPP loans.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

SBA temporarily shuts out big banks and businesses from Paycheck Protection Program

For eight hours, only smaller banks were able to process applications.
How can regulators make sure small businesses are the ones getting this money?
Cindy Ord/Getty Images

What's an "essential" business, and who decides?

Apr 27, 2020
Some mandates are written in clumsy legal jargon that’s hard to understand.
Golf courses in some parts of Florida are considered "essential."
Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images