Senator Kelly Constituent Services Highlight: Successful PPP Loan Assistance for Hard-Hit Arizona Businesses

Today, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly shared the news that his office successfully worked to secure more than $250,000 in critical Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) assistance for four Arizona small business owners who contacted his Senate office after facing delays or issues with the Small Business Administration. Earlier this month, Kelly announced that his office has returned more than $1 million to Arizona taxpayers by cutting through red tape and getting them the benefits or payments they were owed by the federal government. Kelly encourages other Arizona small business owners or any Arizonan facing an issue with the federal government to reach out to his office for assistance.

“As Arizona’s economy recovers from the pandemic, it’s important that small businesses have the support they need,” said Senator Mark Kelly. “I’m proud that we were able to help business owners, like Frank, so that they could keep their doors open and their workers on payroll. Our team is here to make sure Washington works on behalf of Arizonans.”

After communicating with Sen. Kelly’s constituent services team and receiving timely responses, the businesses received much needed PPP funding, helping them keep their doors open and employees on payroll.

Here’s what the owners of the small businesses had to say about Sen. Kelly’s constituent services: 

“My 70 year old family owned business was denied PPP Funding based on a technicality. We reached out to Senator Kelly for much needed help. Senator Kelly and his constituent services team worked tirelessly to help our small business get our funding approved by the SBA. These funds will ensure our small business will continue serving the Tucson community today and into the future. Thank you, Senator Kelly, to you and your staff for your focus and tenacity addressing our situation in these unprecedented times. We are forever grateful!” – Frank Naughton, owner of Naughton’s Plumbing, Heating and Cooling, Tucson, AZ.

“On May 12th I reached out to Senator Kelly’s office to inquire if he might have any information regarding additional funding availability for the second draw of PP Funding. I had been notified by my previous lender that SBA was no longer accepting applications for second draw PPP funds. I received a response from Senator Kelly’s office the same day informing me that there may be a company that was still accepting applications and provided me with their information. I reached out right away and they were extremely helpful; within a day my application was submitted to SBA and a few days later it was approved. Thank you Senator Kelly’s office from the bottom of my heart for helping me and my small little company. Words cannot express how thankful I am for the time they took to communicate the information to me – they are amazing.” – Terri Mays, owner of Crystal Billing Services, Glendale, AZ.

“I was approved by the SBA for a PPP loan but was having great difficulty getting the loan company to send me a copy of the loan contract for signature. I spent the better part of two months in communication with the loan company about receiving the contract, but with no success. I had all but given up when I decided to contact Senator Kelly’s office for assistance. Senator Kelly’s Constituent Services staff quickly made contact with the loan company, and I received the contract within a few days. What a relief! The PPP loan was critical to my ability to maintain my small business, and I would not have received the loan without the help of Senator Kelly’s staff.” – Doug Hirano, owner of Hirano and Associates, Tempe, AZ. 

“Kuttz is so much more than a small business – it’s a hub of learning and investing in the future of our Flagstaff community – Senator Kelly saw this firsthand when he visited my shop in January last year. My business provides great haircuts, but also key economic and educational opportunities. That’s why it was scary when the pandemic made very real the possibility of having to close Kuttz, and even more worrisome when I was wrongfully denied the PPP loan needed to keep my workers on payroll and the business afloat. I reached out to Senator Kelly’s office to see if they could help me navigate the process, and after our discussion and their advice, I was able to reach out to a different bank and get approved for a PPP loan. Thanks to Senator Kelly’s team’s care and guidance, I was able to keep my shop open, and I couldn’t be more grateful for their quick, friendly assistance.” – Jabarha Nichols, owner of Kuttz Barber Shop, Flagstaff, AZ.

The PPP loan program was established as part of the CARES Act. The Kelly-backed American Rescue Plan directed an additional $7.25 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), added $15 billion for the Targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advance program to help the hardest-hit small businesses, and established a $25 billion Restaurant Revitalization fund to help Arizona restaurants keep their doors open and their workers employed.

Constituent Services:

While PPP funding has closed for new applications, Sen. Kelly’s staff can assist businesses with referrals as well as with a range of other federal issues involving veterans and active duty military, Social Security, Medicare, the Small Business Administration, IRS cases, immigration, passports, and others.

Arizonans who need more information can visit Sen. Kelly’s website.