Paycheck Protection Program
Arkansas Man Gets 16 Years in Prison for $16M Scheme to Defraud Pandemic Loan Programs
Tyler Keith Andrews of Russellville prepared and submitted dozens of fraudulent applications for the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, authorities said. read more >
COVID Fraud: An Education (Hunter Field Editor’s Note)
I’m not ready to call PPP a total failure, but there are lessons to be learned. read more >
by Hunter Field -
2 Arkansans Charged With Defrauding COVID Loan Programs
Authorities said they knowingly submitted applications that contained false information on revenue, monthly payroll and number of employees. read more >
Teslar Builds on Pandemic Success
The fintech company, which helped simplify the PPP loan forgiveness process during the pandemic, has its sights on new projects. read more >
by Marty Cook -
Ex-Arvest Employee Banned From Industry
The Federal Reserve took action after she allegedly used “materially false and fraudulent representations” to obtain two Paycheck Protection Program loans. read more >
Taking the Chill Off Emergencies (Lance Turner Editor’s Note)
Seasons change, fortunes turn and disaster strikes. That’s why it’s more important than ever for businesses to get serious about setting up an emergency reserve. read more >
by Lance Turner -
Tech Firm Touts 10x Returns
Teslar Software of Springdale says it recently offered a 10x return to round one investors who were willing to be bought out. read more >
Teslar Simplifying SBA Loans
Teslar Software of Springdale provided the software used to process more than 1.3 million — more than one-fifth — of the Paycheck Protection Program loan applications that received funding this year. read more >
SBA Opens Online Portal For PPP Forgiveness Apps
The U.S. Small Business Administration opens a portal allowing certain businesses that received PPP loans to apply directly for forgiveness. read more >
Arkansas Distilleries, Wineries Cheer Customers’ Return
After a year in the barrel, spirit makers in Arkansas welcome tasters and tours. read more >
by Marty Cook -
As Sales Signal Rebound, Arkansas Brewers Discuss Lessons Learned
If philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche was right — if, in fact, that which does not kill us makes us stronger — then the Arkansas craft brewers who weathered the pandemic storm of 2020 appear to be tackling 2021 in good shape. read more >
by Jan Cottingham -
Courts Tackle Cases Delayed by Pandemic
The Arkansas Supreme Court said jury trials could resume at the beginning of May, meaning a stack of criminal cases finally have their chance to see resolution. read more >
by Marty Cook -
Small Business COVID-19 Relief Program Runs Out of Money
The Small Business Administration says the Paycheck Protection Program has been exhausted. read more >
by -
French Hill Touts Bill to Help Businesses Qualify for PPP Loans
U.S. Rep. French Hill says he’ll introduce a bill next week to help more businesses qualify for the second round of Paycheck Protection Program loans. read more >
Arkansas Capital Corp. Eyes More Interstate Opportunity
After stepping up during the COVID-19 pandemic, nonprofit Arkansas Capital Corp. sees “a banner year for loan volume” as lending activity gets busy. read more >
by George Waldon -
Hospital Sees Turnaround in McGehee
Terry Amstutz came to McGehee Hospital in January 2019 to help it turn around. So far, his efforts are working. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Report Shows Gaps in Lending to Minority Businesses in Arkansas
Minorities and women do not have the same access to capital as their white male counterparts, a systemic issue that can be addressed, a panel of Arkansas bank leaders and a small-business owner says. read more >
Better PPP Terms for Hospitality Industry (Robert Smith Commentary)
With the hospitality industry being disproportionately impacted by the economic devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic, some welcome relief may be available under the most recent federal stimulus package. read more >
by -
Arkansas Hospitality Tax Receipts Plunge in 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic sent hospitality tax collections in Arkansas plummeting last year, and the blow to some tourism bureaus in the state, which rely on the taxes for revenue, was even worse than those figures show. read more >
by Jan Cottingham -
Biden to Boost Pandemic Lending to Smallest Businesses
President Joe Biden is targeting federal pandemic assistance to the nation's smallest businesses and taking steps to further equity in what is known as the Paycheck Protection Program. read more >
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