Update: PPP and EIDL assistance approvals in American Samoa now at 154
Washington, D.C. — Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata said the weekly update of the Small Business Administration (SBA) assistance programs once again shows new loans for American Samoa. The combined total is now 154 loans, a weekly increase of 19, for a new sum of $8,654,566 helping the private economy of American Samoa.
Under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), local employers have now acquired 132 loans totaling $6,860,666 — an increase of 12 more loans in seven days. At the same time, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) program now stands at 22 EIDL loans, a weekly increase of seven, rising to $1,793,900.
“I’m thankful our small businesses are pursuing this assistance,” said Aumua Amata. “It’s been a historic sequence of events, and our local employers are much needed for the long recovery effort ahead.”
The SBA programs continue to accept applications and remain currently funded and open. Businesses can talk to lenders in American Samoa for information and help applying. Congress initially funded these programs under the CARES Act, then replenished the programs with the Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act, and Congress has passed a total of four coronavirus relief bills aimed at health care and the economy.
“I anticipate that over the next month Congress will continue to evaluate the need for additional relief, and the details of that effort,” concluded Amata.