The application period started 9 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 24 and runs through March 9. Written By: Gabriel D. Lagarde | 12:00 am, Feb. 25, 2021 × A sign of encouragement in downtown Brainerd. Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch The tiniest of small businesses — mom and pop shops, independent entrepreneurs, sub-20 employee organizations, and the like — have more opportunities with a new Paycheck Protection Program rollout this week. Per an announcement by the Biden administration earlier this month, over a 14 day period, from Feb. 24 through March 9, the Small Business Administration is limiting loan/grant approvals to businesses with fewer than 20 employees, which would account for 98% of small businesses that fit this category.