COVID-19 SBA LOAN PROGRAMS

The following is a summary from our lobbying firm Cornerstone Government Affairs of the two small business loan programs created as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The first program was created through the passage of what we are calling the “COVID-I” legislation. That bill created a $1 billion fund to immediately assist small businesses hit hard by the current economic shutdown. Unlike traditional Small Business Administration (SBA) funding mechanisms, this program is being administered directly by the SBA and is live and accepting applications currently (see more below).

The second program was created through the passage of what we are calling “COVID-III” legislation. That bill created the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. These programs will be administered more like traditional SBA programs, i.e. through third party, 7(a) lenders.

NOTE #1: Organizations cannot accept funds from both programs, but they are welcome to apply to both and determine which one is the best fit before signing off on final terms.

NOTE #2: Cornerstone enjoys relationships with two SBA 7(a) lenders, who have agreed to provide expedited services to those clients who need to access funds and participate in the program. For more information, please email Campbell Kaufman at ckaufman@cgagroup.com.


COVID-I

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s governor, SBA will issue under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration.

Any such Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance declaration issued by the SBA makes loans available statewide to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations to help alleviate economic injury caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19). This will apply to current and future disaster assistance declarations related to coronavirus.

SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance will coordinate with the state’s or territory’s governor to submit the request for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance.

Once a declaration is made, the information on the application process for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance will be made available to affected small businesses within the state.

SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.

These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%.

SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay.

SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans are just one piece of the expanded focus of the federal government’s coordinated response, and the SBA is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused
response possible.

To apply for these loans, click here -https://disasterloan.sba.gov/.

For questions, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.


COVID-III

The third COVID-19 package expected to become law includes a new SBA loan program, the Paycheck Protection Program, as well as a grant program associated with the EIDL program. The Paycheck Protection Program is intended to keep workers on small business payrolls through offering forgivable loans. The EIDL grant program offers small businesses a one-time $10,000 grant to cover costs in the short term.

The Paycheck Protection Program

Applies to you if:

You were in business and employed fewer than the greater of 500 people or the SBA size standards in number of employees for your industry on February 15, 2020.

You are a small business, nonprofit, veterans’ organization, tribal business, or are self-employed, an independent contractor or sole proprietor.

What it does:

Allows you to apply for a 100% government backed, low interest SBA 7(a) loan up to $10 million. The loan amount will equal 250% of your average monthly payroll costs.

The period covered for the debt forgiveness is from February 15, 2020 until June 30, 2020.

The 100% government backed loans and fee waivers will be authorized through December 31, 2020.

Allows you to use the loan to cover payroll costs, including salaries, paid sick and medical leave, insurance premiums, mortgage, rent and utility payments.

Allows the loan to be forgiven in an amount equal to what you spent on payroll, rent and mortgage interest (on leases and mortgages in effect on February 15, 2020).

Reduces the loan amount forgiven proportionately to the reduction in number of employees retained compared to last year and reduced by the reduction in pay of any employee greater than 25% compared to last year.

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July 17, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  July 16, 2026 ATLANTA, Ga . – Eighteen Georgia high school agriscience teachers recently participated in a hands-on plant tissue culture training at Cedar Shoals High School in Athens, equipping educators with biotechnology skills and classroom resources that will expand access to experiential STEM learning for students across the state. Hosted through a partnership led by Georgia Life Sciences (GLS), the workshop was facilitated by Julie Throne, Agriscience Teacher, FFA Advisor, and CTAE Department Chair at Cedar Shoals High School. Participants received practical instruction in plant tissue culture techniques using newly developed portable tissue culture kits generously donated by California-based Athena Ag. Plant tissue culture is a foundational biotechnology technique used in agriculture and plant science research to propagate plants under aseptic conditions. By incorporating these concepts into agriscience classrooms, educators can provide students with hands-on experiences that introduce biotechnology while building technical skills relevant to careers in agriculture and biotechnology. As part of the workshop, each participating teacher received two complete plant tissue culture kits to take back to their school, enabling students throughout Georgia to engage in laboratory-based biotechnology activities and explore emerging career pathways in the life sciences. "Providing educators with access to industry-relevant training and classroom resources is one of the most effective ways to inspire the next generation of Georgia's life sciences workforce," said Maria Thacker Goethe, President & CEO of Georgia Life Sciences. "Through partnerships like this, we're helping teachers bring real-world biotechnology into their classrooms while expanding opportunities for students to discover careers in one of Georgia's fastest-growing industries." The training is part of Georgia Life Sciences' broader Teacher Training Initiative, a statewide workforce development program that equips middle and high school educators with the knowledge, tools, and industry connections needed to deliver hands-on biotechnology instruction. Through strategic partnerships with industry, education, and nonprofit organizations, the initiative continues to strengthen Georgia's talent pipeline by connecting classroom learning with real-world workforce opportunities. Georgia Life Sciences extends its appreciation to Julie Throne for leading the training and to Athena for its generous donation of classroom kits, helping expand access to biotechnology education for educators and students across the state.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 16, 2026, ATLANTA, GA. – Georgia Life Sciences (GLS) is proud to announce the successful completion of another year as Georgia's clearinghouse for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Employer Provided Innovation Challenges (EPIC) program, connecting Georgia students with life sciences employers to solve real-world industry challenges through project-based learning. The EPIC program provides access to a national network of employer-facing organizations and industry partners that collaborate with educators to deliver meaningful, career-connected learning experiences. Through the initiative, students work alongside employers to develop innovative solutions to authentic business and technology challenges while gaining valuable exposure to high-demand careers. This summer, Georgia Life Sciences partnered with industry member company Manus to sponsor an innovation challenge for students at Fulton County Schools Innovation Academy. Working alongside Manus' Kevin Fox, the student team developed an AI-driven biomanufacturing management tool that leverages real-time culture data to optimize growth conditions within a bioreactor—demonstrating the intersection of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing. The project was selected as one of this year's outstanding EPIC challenges, earning the student team an invitation to present their work at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's annual EPIC meeting in Washington, D.C on June 23. There, students showcased their solution before a national audience of educators, employers, workforce leaders, and business organizations from across the country. "Programs like EPIC demonstrate the power of industry and education working together to prepare students for the careers of tomorrow," said Maria Thacker Goethe, President & CEO of Georgia Life Sciences. "By engaging students in authentic industry challenges, we are not only building technical skills, but also inspiring the next generation of innovators who will help shape Georgia's future life sciences workforce." The EPIC program aligns closely with Georgia Life Sciences' broader workforce development strategy, which connects K–12 education, higher education, and industry to strengthen the state's life sciences talent pipeline through hands-on learning, educator engagement, and employer partnerships. Georgia Life Sciences congratulates the students and faculty of Fulton County Schools Innovation Academy, Kevin Fox, and the team at Manus for their outstanding work and national recognition. About Georgia Life Sciences Georgia Life Sciences is the state's leading life sciences industry association, representing the biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostics, and digital health sectors. Through advocacy, workforce development, and strategic partnerships, Georgia Life Sciences works to advance innovation, strengthen the state's life sciences ecosystem, and build the workforce needed to power Georgia's growing innovation economy.
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BioMADE Releases New National Survey Showing Strong, Bipartisan Support for U.S. Leadership in Bioindustrial Manufacturing 
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