D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser praised President Biden for his administration’s reforms to the Paycheck Protection Program, which will provide additional targeted resources to more small businesses.
Starting Wednesday, small businesses with fewer than 20 employees will have a two-week exclusive window to apply for PPP funding. The Biden administration is broadening access to the PPP program by allowing small business owners with prior non-fraud felony convictions, those behind on federal student loan payments, and non-citizen residents to apply.
“Our small businesses have been incredibly resilient in the face of immense challenges, and these critical changes will get more local businesses the fair shot they need and deserve,” Bowser said in a statement. “I am grateful for President Biden’s leadership and his administration’s sense of urgency to ensure that we do not leave our small business owners and the workers they employ behind.”
The city government has provided over $155 million in direct relief for small businesses since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the mayor’s office said.