17.0% of IA total
Avg: $83,198 per loan
$46M outstanding
96.2% forgiveness rate
PPP Program Overview: Des Moines, IA
Between April 2020 and May 2021, the U.S. Small Business Administration disbursed approximately 16,776 Paycheck Protection Program loans in the Des Moines metropolitan area, totaling $1.4B. These loans supported approximately 133K jobs in the local economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Of these loans, 16,138 (96.2%) were fully forgiven. However, 638 loans totaling $46M remain unforgiven and are potentially subject to SBA collection, Treasury offset, or DOJ enforcement action.
Des Moines is part of Iowa, which has a Standard enforcement risk classification. The DOJ PPP Strike Force operates nationally, with particular focus on major metropolitan areas where loan volumes and dollar amounts are highest.
Enforcement Risk in Des Moines
Des Moines has standard-level PPP enforcement activity. While enforcement is less concentrated here than in larger metros, the DOJ PPP Strike Force operates nationally. Any borrower with an unforgiven loan or application discrepancies remains at risk regardless of location.
The False Claims Act statute of limitations extends through 2030-2031 for PPP loans. This means new enforcement actions can still be initiated against Des Moines borrowers for several more years.
Des Moines vs. Iowa Average
Frequently Asked Questions: PPP in Des Moines
How many PPP loans were issued in Des Moines, IA?
Des Moines, Iowa received approximately 16,776 PPP loans totaling $1.4B between April 2020 and May 2021. The average loan size was $83,198, supporting approximately 133K jobs in the Des Moines metro area.
How many PPP loans in Des Moines were not forgiven?
Approximately 638 PPP loans in the Des Moines metro area (3.8% of total) were not forgiven, representing $46M in outstanding obligations. These borrowers may face Treasury collection actions or SBA enforcement.
What is the PPP enforcement risk in Des Moines?
Des Moines is in a "Standard" enforcement risk area. The DOJ PPP Strike Force and SBA OIG maintain active investigations in major metro areas. Borrowers in Des Moines with unforgiven loans or application discrepancies should be aware of ongoing enforcement activity through 2030-2031.
Can I still face a PPP audit in Des Moines in 2026?
Yes. The False Claims Act has a 6-10 year statute of limitations. Since PPP loans were issued in 2020-2021, enforcement actions can continue through 2030-2031. Des Moines borrowers remain at risk regardless of whether their loan was forgiven.
Are You at Risk?
638 Des Moines area borrowers have unforgiven PPP loans. Find out your specific risk level in under 3 minutes.
Data Sources: U.S. Small Business Administration PPP Data Reports, PandemicOversight.gov, U.S. Treasury Department. Metro-area estimates derived from state-level data with population-weighted distribution. Last updated May 2026.