U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) shared several stories of Georgia small businesses and non-profit organizations that received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to help their keep workers employed during the COVID-19 crisis. 

Senator Perdue recently met with small business owners who received PPP loans in Doraville, Valdosta, Smyrna, and Dalton. A sponsor of the bipartisan Paycheck Protection Small Business Forgiveness Act, Senator Perdue is working across the aisle to streamline forgiveness of PPP loans.

According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), 1.5 million Georgia jobs have been saved by the PPP androughly $14.7 billion in loans were provided as a lifeline to small businesses and workers across the state. 

Here’s what they are saying: 

Integrity Foods, Inc. (Cumming): “I want to thank Senator Perdue and all those who made PPP loans available to small business owners like myself. Had these funds not been provided to us, we would not have been able to keep our employees and would have been forced to furlough them. While we are not out of the woods yet, this program worked exactly as it was intended to. PPP made a difference for our company and kept 8 families afloat during these unprecedented times.” – David Thomas, President/Owner

Sweet Grass Dairy (Thomasville): “My husband and I are owners of Sweet Grass Dairy, an artisan cheese manufacturer and restaurant, in Thomasville. The Paycheck Protection Program has provided our business a lifeline. I cannot stress how helpful the PPP was in keeping our business afloat and keeping our almost 50 team members employed.” – Jessica Little, Co-Owner

Atlanta Pediatric Therapy (Doraville): “Obtaining a PPP loan has enabled Atlanta Pediatric Therapy to survive our drastic drop in patient attendance and revenue due to COVID-19. Because of PPP, we were able to keep all of our staff fully employed and not furlough anyone. Keeping our employees employed has also enabled our patients, who are mostly underserved minority children with disabilities, to continuously receive their prescribed therapy treatments during the pandemic.” – George Rosero, CEO

MF&H Textiles, Inc. (Butler): “MF&H Textiles, Inc., established in 1977, employs 49 people in Taylor County. The SBA approved our PPP application and released proceeds three days before a payroll came due! The PPP literally saved us from a disaster. We remained financially healthy and managed to keep our full workforce on the payroll.” – Bob Wade, Executive Vice President & CFO

Strides Horse Park (Villa Rica): “If the Paycheck Protection Program was not available, Strides would not have been able to retain our employees. Our clients’ success is built on a strong regime and dedicated people. Because of PPP, Strides will be able to continue serving the community.” – Urshla Fouch, Executive Director 

CareMaster Medical Services (Griffin): “CareMaster Medical Services is a family-owned, licensed, private home care provider located in Griffin, Georgia. We have been serving elderly and disabled Georgians across the state since 1986. The Paycheck Protection Program has mitigated business uncertainties and allowed us to maintain close-to-normal operations so that we can concentrate on serving our clients.” – Dave Lamb, General Manager

National Infantry Museum (Columbus): “Without the PPP, we would have had to lay off or furlough valuable employees. Maintenance of this $100 million facility and its collection would have suffered dearly. Ramping back up toward a reopening would have been next to impossible. While the museum may not provide an essential service, it’s a shining example of what has made our nation great, and is a much-appreciated salute to the men and women who continue to fight for our future.” – Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Pete Jones, President & COO

Safe Harbor Children’s Center (Brunswick): “As Executive Director of Safe Harbor Children’s Center, a nonprofit organization serving vulnerable populations, I have seen first-hand the significant increase in the need for our services here in Brunswick and the Golden Isles. The Paycheck Protection Program has enabled us to meet this growing demand by maintaining 100% of our employees during this critical time. We could not be more thankful.” – Leslie Hartman, Executive Director

Cross Plains Community Partner (Dalton): “The PPP loan was crucial in helping Cross Plains keep our workers on payroll and sustain the essential work we do in supporting and caring for people with developmental disabilities.” – Deborah Conway, Executive Director