Businesses receive ‘Paycheck Protection’
Loans designed to keep smaller firms afloat due to coronavirus pandemic
More than 46 Yolo County businesses and nonprofit groups were among those that received federal loans aimed at keeping small businesses afloat during the coronavirus pandemic, records released Monday showed.
The amount of money was not specified but totaled at least $71 million and at most $155 million.
Previously, it was found that firms that supported or were owned California government officials were among those that also received federal assistance. The companies ranged from a Northern California winery and hospitality company, PlumpJack, founded and partly owned by Gov. Gavin Newsom, received a loan worth $150,000 to $350,000 from the Paycheck Protection Program, according to data released by the U.S. Treasury Department.
Before taking office as governor in 2019, Newsom announced he would step away from his businesses and put his assets in a blind trust managed by a family friend and attorney.
“You would have to ask the people that are running those businesses,” Newsom said in response to a question about why his company applied for the loan.
In Yolo County, those receiving federal money covered the gamut, from health care agencies, agricultural operations, car dealerships, retirement centers, biotech firms and even the Sacramento River Cats baseball team, a AAA team under the San Francisco Giants.
The money received varied and was not specifically reported, but given in ranges. For example, the Buckhorn Cafe in Winters received between $350,000 to $1 million, as did the Center for Land-Based Learning and Winters Healthcare Foundation.
An additional 46 businesses or nonprofits received between $1- and $10 million, according to the information. However, most of the money ranged between $1- and $2 million, depending on the size of the agency.
All of the money went to the banks or financial institutions representing the businesses or agencies.
Under the PPP initiative, the government is backing $659 billion in low-interest business loans that will be forgiven if employers use the money on payroll, rent and similar expenses. Companies typically must have fewer than 500 workers to qualify.
Among some of the more well-known entities were:
WINTERS » Mariani Nut Company, between $5and $10 million; Double M Trucking, $1- and $2 million.
WEST SACRAMENTO » The Sacramento River Cats, which received between $1- and $2 million; Ramos Oil of West, which got between $2- and $5 million; Rural Community Assistance Corp., which got between $2- and $5 million;
WOODLAND » Woodland Clinic Medical Group, between $5- and $10 million; Butterfield Electric Inc., between $1- and $2 million; Hoblit Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Inc., between $1and $2 million; St. John’s Retirement Village, between $1- and $2 million; United Health Systems, between $1- and $2 million; Western Foods Operating Co., $1- and $2 million.
DAVIS » CommuniCare Health Centers, between $2- and $5 million; West Yost & Associates, $2- and $5 million; Arcadia Biosciences, $1- and $2 million; Far Western Anthropological Research Group, $1- and $2 million; Marrone Bio Innovations,
$1- and $2 million; Tandem Properties, between $1- and $2 million.
The public may never know the identity of more than 80% of the nearly 5 million beneficiaries to date because the Trump administration has refused to release details on loans under $150,000 received by the vast majority of borrowers.
That secrecy spurred an open-records lawsuit by a group of news organizations, including The Associated Press. Still, the release of the data is the most complete look at the program’s recipients so far.
Records show over 87,000 businesses in California received loans worth $150,000 or more.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Contact reporter Jim Smith at 530-406-6230.