CALERA, Okla. (KTEN) -- The Oklahoma Department of Commerce granted $13.9 million to 667 small businesses seeking relief from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several Texoma businesses were on the receiving end of a portion of those funds, including KT Plastics Inc. in Calera.
General manager Jim Willingham said their sales decreased dramatically as the oil industry took a big hit.
"I think we've seen about a 60 percent drop in our sales over the past 3 to 4 months. It makes cash tight," Willingham said.
Willingham said the company utilized the Paycheck Protection Program to cover payroll for eight weeks before those funds ran out.
So they applied for Oklahoma's first round of the Business Relief Program because they said they saw an opportunity.
"Monthly bills, payroll, week-to-week... that's what we foresee using the money for, and I think it's going to be a big help just to keep us going," Willingham said.
When the KT Plastics PPP funds ran out, Willingham said they had to let quite a few employees go. He hopes to bring them back as soon as sales will allow.
Willingham said his company is extremely thankful for the state's contribution.
