'Don't give up': Small businesses struggle to get loans in Springfield

The president of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce is urging business owners who are applying to not give up.

Business owners continue to struggle to get the financial help they need.

Today -- round two of the paycheck protection program kicked off..

But as kezi 9 news reporter michael sevren shows us one owner in springfield has all but given up.

At simply cycle bicycle shop on main street in springfield, customers are only allowed in by appointment only.

Owner sean carney says keeping his doors open without the paycheck protection program hasn't been easy.

Sot: we've got rent, we've got bills we've ordered all this stuff for spring and it's very frustrating.

The program gives companies with less then 500 employees 1% interest loans that are forgivable if they spend most of it on their payroll.

Carney says he would qualify -- but says his credit union doesn't do small business loans.

And, when he reached out to three other banks, they turned him down, since he's not already a member and they're not taking new applications.

Stand up carney tells me the spring is normally a busy time for his business, but sales are nowhere near where they used to be.

While he plans to reach out to banks again, he feels it may be lost cause.

Sot: i don't think i'm going to devote a ton of time on something that isn't possible.

Leaders at the springfield area chamber of commerce are urging businesses not to give up.

They say they can help them find different lenders who may be able to help.

Coming up in the next hour at kezi 9 news at 6, hear from one small business owner who opened their doors a month before the pandemic and why they don't qualify for the program.

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