Economic Development

SBA: One Year 8(a) Program Extension Provided to Participants Due to COVID-19

Public Comments Due by March 15, 2021 The U.S. Small Business Administration  published an interim final rule effective January 13, 2021 allowing 8(a) Program participants to elect a one-year program extension in the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program due to the challenges of COVID-19. Eligible 8(a) firms must meet the following qualifications: Any firm that participated in the 8(a) Program…

SBA: Steps Taken to Improve First Draw Paycheck Protection Program Loan Review

 The U.S. Small Business Administration is taking steps to improve the First Draw Paycheck Protection Program loan review so that small businesses have as much time as possible to access much needed PPP funds. The Biden-Harris Administration is focused on ensuring small businesses receive the support they need to keep their doors open and continue to employ…

SBA: 60,000 Paycheck Protection Program Loans Approved in First Week

SBA’s dedicated access to community financial institutions helped underserved small businesses Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced that it has approved approximately 60,000 PPP loan applications submitted by nearly 3,000 lenders, for over $5 billion, between the program’s re-opening on Monday, Jan. 11, at 9 a.m. ET through to Sunday, Jan. 17.   Last week,…

SBA: Rule Proposed to Eliminate Regulations that Exclude Faith-Based Organizations from Seven SBA Programs

Public Comments Due by February 18, 2021 The U.S. Small Business Administration invites public comment on a proposed rule designed to remove regulatory provisions that exclude certain faith-based organizations from seven business loan and disaster assistance programs.  These programs include the Intermediary Lending Program (ILP), Business Loan programs (7(a), Microloan and 504 programs), Economic Injury Disaster Loan…

EDA: $2 Million in Grants Awarded to Drive Innovation and Entrepreneurship through Inaugural STEM Talent Challenge

Economic Development Administration’s Program Supports Efforts of Seven Organizations in Seven States WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross today announced the seven grant recipients of the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) STEM Talent Challenge to boost local science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) talent.  The inaugural STEM Talent Challenge funding opportunity kicked off in August 2020 to further build STEM…

EDA: $5.98 Million Invested to Protect Businesses from Flooding in San Diego, CA

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $5.98 million grant to the city of San Diego, California, to make stormwater infrastructure improvements needed to mitigate the impact of flooding on local industry. The EDA grant, to be matched with $5.98 million in local investment,…

EDA: $3.4 Million Invested to Support Manufacturing Growth in Kincheloe, MI

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3.4 million grant to the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation, Kincheloe, Michigan, to build a manufacturing facility at Chippewa County Air/Industrial Park and expand an existing railroad spur to serve the facility. The EDA grant will be…

EDA: $2.7 Million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance to Establish Revolving Loan Fund to Serve Businesses in Fresno and San Luis Obispo Counties, California

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.7 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to California Coastal Rural Development Corporation (CCRDC), Salinas, California, to establish and administer a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) in support of coronavirus-impacted small businesses in Fresno and San Luis Obispo…

EDA: $2.56 Million Invested to Support Economic Development and Disaster Resiliency Efforts in Loudon, TN Opportunity Zone

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.56 million grant to the city of Loudon, Tennessee, to make infrastructure improvements to allow for expansion of new and existing industries in the region. The EDA grant, to be matched with $640,000 in local investment, is…

EDA: $2.4 Million Invested to Boost Disaster Resiliency Efforts in Cascade Locks, OR Opportunity Zone

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.4 million grant to the city of Cascade Locks, Oregon, to make power supply infrastructure improvements needed to support business growth. The EDA grant, to be located in a Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Opportunity Zone, will be matched…