You've only got days left to apply for a PPP Loan

In 2020, Sean "Diddy" Combs and Harbor Bank of Maryland Community Development Corporation formed OurFairShare, scaled with a $600,000 investment from JPMorgan Chase. The platform was developed to ensure minority-owned businesses were not left out of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.

In just four months last year, more than five million U.S. businesses received a PPP loan. That helped them pay their workers, their mortgage or rent, and their utility bills. Unfortunately, many small businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans didn't get PPP loans last year. We want to make sure you know how to apply for the funding your business really needs.

But you need to act quickly. PPP ends March 31, but many lenders may stop accepting applications sooner so they have time to process. That means you need to get started on an application quickly for PPP funds to help with your payroll costs and other bills, to get your fair share. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and participating lenders are working hard to make these loans available to more businesses in low- and moderate-income communities. And to smaller businesses, like barbershops, restaurants, nail salons, clothing brands, bars, bodegas and independent contractors.

Here are eight facts you should know about PPP that may encourage you to apply:

1. Congress funded it with $284 billion for 2021. That's enough for millions of more loans.
2. It's for first-time borrowers. The SBA has already approved more than 704,000 loans for borrowers who didn't get one last year. The SBA also has approved loans for second-time borrowers.
3. Businesses with few employees get special attention. Through March 9, the SBA is accepting applications only from businesses with fewer than 20 employees.
4. Most loans are relatively small. The average loan to first-time PPP borrowers this year is $22,000, the SBA says.
5. Smaller businesses are getting approved. 90% of Chase's approved PPP loans in 2021 are to businesses with fewer than 20 employees.
6. Help is available to understand PPP. Chase has a webinar, checklists and FAQs to walk you through the application process. You can also check out the SBA's website.

It's easy to find participating lenders. The SBA's website has a "Lender Match" link to help you connect to a lender near you.

The 2021 PPP is scheduled to expire March 31, but to get your application to the SBA by then, you need to act now. If you believe you are eligible, we urge you to find a lender, prepare your information and apply.

Get started now. Don't miss out!

Guest post courtesy of entertainment and media mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs and Chase Business Banking CEO Jennifer Roberts.