The U.S. launched the Paycheck Protection Program in April 2020 to save jobs and businesses from the worst effects of the pandemic. Today on the show, a post-mortem on the controversial program and whether it fulfilled its objective. Also, we hear from one company that voluntarily paid back its PPP loan — with interest — even though it could have qualified for forgiveness. **Related episodes: **Could cash payments ease recessions? (Apple) / Spotify)) Small banks' corona crunch) The big small business rescue) *For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org). *Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)
