PPP and Me Joan McGuire Paycheck Protection Program loans provided lifelines to Oregon’s small businesses but triggered messy headaches for banks. A look back at the process proves the struggle paid off in many ways. Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans offered a desperately needed helping hand to Mitch and Cathy Teal, owners of BREW Coffee and Taphouse in Independence and West Salem. Their business, like all service providers — restaurants, salons, medical offices and the like — was hurting from restrictions imposed to stop the spread of COVID-19. The cash infusion (basically free money from the federal government if you followed the rules) promised some relief. Securing the loan, however, was messy and stressful from the start.