ICYMI — the application period for the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has been extended to Saturday, Aug. 8. Small businesses can still apply for assistance up until that date.

Earlier this week, the Small Business Association (SBA) released data showing which businesses across the country have received the highest payouts from PPP - including companies and nonprofits that have received $150,000 or more.

Open the Books, a Chicago-based nonprofit committed to the transparency of government spending, has also created a searchable map so you can view all the small businesses that have received funding in your neighborhood.

Of the nearly 830 Polk County companies that received aid, 430 are located here in Lakeland.

Here are some of the top recipients in our area:

M S Industrial, llc | loan range $5-10 million
Regal Automotive Group, Inc. | loan range $5-10 million
Bartow Ford Co. | loan range $2-5 million
Tri-County Human Services, Inc. | loan range $2-5 million
Harrell's, llc | loan range $5-10 million

Plus some other names you might recognize:

Lakeland Christian School, Inc. | loan range $1-2 million
Lakeland Nursing & Rehabilitation, llc | loan range $1-2 million
Payne Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. | loan range $1-2 million
Florida Baptist Children's Homes, Inc. | loan range $1-2 million

Florida businesses received between $25 and $45 billion in loans from the PPP, saving 3.2 million jobs across the state.

Map of minimum PPP money per person | graphic via Ben Weider

Do you know of a small business that could benefit from the PPP extension? Share this information with them. ⬇️