Local businesses receive PPP money

SANDUSKY — The federal government gave area businesses millions of dollars in loans through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Congress created the program as a response to the economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program allowed for up to $349 billion in forgivable loans for companies with 500 or fewer employees, provided that 75 percent of the loan amount went to payroll costs to maintain employees. According to data, the program saved more than 22,000 jobs in the Register's coverage area of Erie, Huron, Ottawa and Sandusky counties. The area will receive between $158.5 million and $376.9 million through the program. The data — released by U.S. Small Business Administration, which implemented the program — provide the names of companies that received more than $150,000 in loans. The Bellevue Hospital and Fremont-based businesses — Crown Battery Manufacturing Co., Mosser Construction, Style Crest Enterprises and Sunrise Cooperative — received the most in the area with an approved loan range of $5 million to 10 million. Danop, Ltd., of Milan, and Beck Suppliers, Inc., of Fremont — the companies behind the Mickey Mart and Friendship Kitchen convenience stores respectively — each received approval for a loan range of $2 million to $5 million. Sandusky-based companies O.E. Meyer Co., Thorsworks and Routh Packing Co., and Norwalk's Borgers, Oglesby Construction and Norwalk Furniture also received $2 million to $5 million in loans. Magruder Hospital in Port Clinton received the most in Ottawa County with a loan range of $2 million to $5 million. Dozens of Sandusky companies received $1 million to $2 million in loans, including K&K Interiors and LEWCO. Smaller locally-owned companies also benefited from the program. Brady Sign Co., Herman's Furniture, Dewey Furniture, Murray & Murray Law Firm, several area car dealerships, and restaurants all received between $150,000 and $350,000 in loans. Below is a breakdown of local recipients of the program: