These Martinez Companies Got The Biggest PPP Loans

MARTINEZ, CA — More than 80 Martinez companies were among 87,000 California businesses and non-profits that received loans from the federal Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, to help pay their employees during the coronavirus pandemic, according to data released this week.

The loans, which varied in amount, were established as part of the federal government's CARES Act and are forgiven as long as businesses keep employees on their payroll, without cutting pay.
On Monday, the U.S. Small Business Administration released data showing that nearly 5 million businesses have received PPP loans of more than $150,000 — totaling more than $521 billion. The U.S. Treasury says the money has supported 51.1 million jobs.

In California, more than 4.1 million jobs have been retained thanks to loans of greater than $150,000, according to the SBA. They went to a variety of organizations, from small restaurants to large companies with hundreds of employees.

These seven Martinez businesses and nonprofits received between $1 million and $5 million:

• DAWSON ELECTRIC, INC. (jobs retained: not listed)
• ENGINEERING REMEDIATION RESOURCES (retained 200 jobs)
• BAJA CONSTRUCTION CO., INC. (retained 101 jobs)
• MCK SERVICES INC (retained 49 jobs)
• SONNIKSON AND STORDAHL CONSTRUCTION (retained 75 jobs)
• THE CBR GROUP (retained 30 jobs)
• WASTEXPERTS INC. (retained 115 jobs)

These 10 Martinez businesses and nonprofits reported retaining the most workers, thanks to their PPP loan:

1. ENGINEERING REMEDIATION RESOURCES (retained 200 jobs)
2. THRIVE SUPPORT SERVICES, INC. (retained 173 jobs)
3. VINE HILL HARDWARE, INC. (retained 138 jobs)
4. REDSTONE PRINT & MAIL, INC. (retained 136 jobs)
5. WASTEXPERTS INC. (retained 115 jobs)
6. LAS TRAMPAS SCHOOL INC (retained 113 jobs)
7. BAJA CONSTRUCTION CO., INC. (retained 101 jobs)
8. REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES OF THE EAST BAY, INC. (retained 86 jobs)
9. SONNIKSON AND STORDAHL CONSTRUCTION (retained 75 jobs)
10. FRANK J MCGUIRE retained (retained 69 jobs)

Want to see how other Martinez businesses fared? View this searchable database of all California companies that received PPP loans here.

Patch staffers Nick Garber, Lucas Combos and Shannon Antinori contributed to this report.