MACON, Ga. — Small business owners can receive thousands of dollars in forgivable loans with the Macon 30 Day Fund.
Blake Sullivan and Kathy McArthur are collaborating to grant forgivable loans for small businesses facing a risk due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release.
“Many small businesses in Macon-Bibb are in distress and desperately need money to survive,” Sullivan said in the release.
It’s all about helping small business owners keep their doors open and pay their employees.
The release says the fund is similarly modeled after a fund in Virginia.
“As the operators of a small business ourselves we recognize how hard the COVID-19 business lockdown has hit many of our fellow small businesses,” McArthur said. “Many small businesses in Macon very likely will not be able to withstand a lengthy loss of income and will be shuttered permanently unless Federal assistance arrives in time to support them.
Mitch Kersey, the owner of Amanda Jane salon, echoes that sentiment.
“It's been really stressful,” is how he described the process of getting money from the Small Business Administration.
His salon has been closed for a month now.
“I applied for the $10,000 EIDL, which is the disaster loan, about three weeks ago I guess. We were told we will have money within 72 hours,” he said.
Kersey says he never received that money or money for his employees from the Paycheck Protection Program.
“As soon as everything re-opens it is really going to hit us hard if there isn't something given to myself as well other small businesses,” he said.
Folks who are interested in the loan can go to the Macon 30 Day Fund website to apply, but their business must meet these three qualifications:
● The business must be owned by a Macon-Bibb resident
● The business has been in operation for at least one year
● The business employs between three and 30 individuals
“These businesses are the backbone of our community and without them we will feel their loss. I am excited to start this fund and that it will be able to help sustain these small businesses until help from the federal government arrives or they get to re-open their doors," Sullivan said.
Businesses approved can receive up to $3,000 in forgivable loans.
Kersey has already applied and Sullivan hopes they can approve and send out money within a week.
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