Sen. Steve Daines
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) helped get guidelines expanded that allow Montana seasonal businesses and workers to receive loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the lawmaker announced on April 27.
“This is about ensuring Montana’s seasonal small businesses and workers are eligible for relief during the coronavirus pandemic,” Sen. Daines said in a statement released on Monday.
More than 10 percent of his home state’s workers are seasonal employees, who would have struggled to obtain assistance under the original PPP, which was authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, according to Sen. Daines’ statement.
Previously, seasonal employers calculated their loan size by using their average monthly payroll from March 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019.
The new PPP guidelines permit seasonal employers to incorporate their peak months when calculating their maximum allowable loan size and they now may use any consecutive 12-week period from May 1, 2019 through Sept. 15, 2019, according to Sen. Daines’ statement.
The lawmaker worked directly with the Trump administration to ensure Montana seasonal businesses and workers gained eligibility for these loans.
“I am thankful to the Trump administration for acting swiftly on my request to expand the program to help Montana workers like our outfitters and guides,” said Sen. Daines.