Hundreds of mid-Missouri businesses get large Paycheck Protection Program loans

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

More than 800 businesses in mid-Missouri received federal loans greater than $150,000 to help keep people hired throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Data released by the Small Business Administration shows which companies and non-profits received the highly sought-after loans. Five area businesses are listed in the largest loan bracket, between $5 million and $10 million.

• Flat Branch Mortgage, Inc. (Columbia)
• Gregory DeLine (Columbia)
• Jefferson City Medical Group (Jefferson City)
• John Fitzgibbon Memorial Hospital (Marshall)
• ProEnergy Acquisition Company (Sedalia)

Millions of businesses across the U.S. applied for help, leading to some delays and issues for lenders trying to submit applications to the federal government. The SBA re-opened the program on Monday.

Money from the program is intended to help businesses keep workers on their payroll and pay for some expenses like rent and utilities. Loans can be completely forgiven as long as the businesses maintain their employees.

The five businesses with biggest loans reported 2,306 employees between them. It's not clear how many employees were retained because of the loan's help.

Jamie Patterson, spokesperson for Jefferson City Medical Group, said the company used the money to "support operations and to maintain medical services."

While the SBA data lists DeLine by name, his website shows he owns several local businesses. Many deal with housing-related services.