The Small Business Administration has published in the Federal Register a clarification of the Paycheck Protection Program. South Dakota Rural Electric Association’s General Manager and Director of Government Relations Ed Anderson says the clarification was needed so that Congressional intent is followed that allows cooperatives to qualify for PPP payments.

He says the pandemic has had a major detrimental effect on all small businesses including all cooperatives in South Dakota and across the country.

Anderson says making cooperatives eligible for PPP payments can make a huge difference in whether or not some of them survive.

The Small Business Administration is asking for public comment on this interim rule containing the PPP clarification.