‘Too Little, Too Late’: California Small Businesses Chase COVID-19 Relief
Denise Russell, owner of Special FX Salon & Day Spa in San Jose, photographed in the waiting area of her salon on Jan. 15, 2020. Russell, who has been in business for more than 30 years, says she misses her clients and stylists. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, Calmatters.
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Since the coronavirus swept into Silicon Valley last spring, Denise Russell’s race to save her San Jose salon has stretched into a marathon. It started with a $103,020 Paycheck Protection Program loan. Then came a federal small business Economic Injury Disaster Loan for $159,000. Now, she’s applying for a $15,000 state grant and another PPP loan all while fighting the state for delayed unemployment payments.