Impatience with business closings aired at virtual meeting with R.I. leaders
PROVIDENCE — Thousands of Rhode Island businesses have applied for hundreds of millions of dollars in state and federal aid since the novel coronavirus pandemic exploded in the state, and now some business owners say they want more from their elected officials.
On Wednesday, members of Rhode Island’s congressional delegation, Providence city leaders and representatives of the business community gathered in a virtual town hall to discuss types of relief available to business owners.
As of Monday, the U.S. Small Business Administration reported, it had approved more than $875 million in loans to 4,110 Rhode Island businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program, which provides forgivable loans to employers so they can continue to pay their employees’ salaries and benefits while their businesses are closed.
About 500 businesses have applied for short-term bridge loans through the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, according to corporation spokesman Matt Sheaf.
Read more: https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20200415/impatience-with-business-closings-aired-at-virtual-meeting-with-ri-leaders