Starting Friday, many struggling Alaska businesses can apply for aid through the $284 billion PPP program Published January 13 Share on Facebook Print article We're making this important information available without a subscription as a public service. But we depend on reader support to do this work. Please consider supporting independent journalism in Alaska, at just $1.99 for the first month of your subscription. The Small Business Administration’s $284 billion reopening of its popular Paycheck Protection Program — providing forgivable loans to small businesses hurt during the COVID-19 pandemic — will soon expand after a limited launch early this week. The extension of the program is part of the $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill passed by Congress late last year.