Source: Travis Fain, WRAL, 7/24/20

 A state-backed loan program for struggling small businesses hasn't seen near enough demand to use the full $140 million available, partly due to a forgivable federal loan program, partly due to the uncertainty businesses face under the cloud of the coronavirus pandemic. "Businesses are facing a great deal of uncertainty," said Barry Ryan, who is managing the program for the North Carolina Rural Center. "A big hesitancy to take on debt."

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