Here’s which Kansas, Missouri businesses, schools and churches got PPP money from the feds
Thousands of Missouri and Kansas companies, schools and churches received billions of federal dollars to keep employees working through the pandemic.
Part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Employment Security Act passed by Congress in March, the Paycheck Protection Program was aimed at infusing small businesses with cash in hopes they could keep workers on their payroll. The Small Business Administration this week released data disclosing all firms that received more than $150,000 in funding.
The data show the program aided some of Kansas City’s best known establishments: Gates BBQ received between $1 million and $2 million in aid. Advertising agency Barkley won between $5 million and $10 million. And Rockhurst High School received between $2 million and $5 million.
PPP loans carry an interest rate of 1%, but can be forgiven if enough of the funds were used for payroll costs. SBA has so far awarded more than $520 billion in loans with an average loan amount of about $106,000.
In Kansas, more than 5,800 businesses and organizations qualified for loans above $150,000; More than 11,000 did across Missouri.
Overland Park-based Wireless Lifestyle, which says it is the largest authorized dealer for Sprint Corp., took in between $5 million and $10 million.
Loans went to Payless ShoeSource, which closed all its U.S. stores last year. It received between $5 million and $10 million to retain 132 jobs in Lawrence.
In Branson, a number of entertainment venues received federal funds to keep employees on board. Both the Grand Country and the Presleys Country Jubilee received between $350,000 and $1 million in funding.
But it wasn’t just businesses: Catholic dioceses on both side of the state line received funding. The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood received several million, along with numerous other churches in the metro area.
To see all those that qualified in Kansas search this database:
To see all those that qualified in Missouri, search this database:
The Star’s Bryan Lowry and The Wichita Eagle’s Amy Renee Leiker contributed to this story.
This story was originally published July 7, 2020 at 9:49 AM.
