14.1% of NE total
Avg: $88,091 per loan
$25M outstanding
96.4% forgiveness rate
PPP Program Overview: Lincoln, NE
Between April 2020 and May 2021, the U.S. Small Business Administration disbursed approximately 9,308 Paycheck Protection Program loans in the Lincoln metropolitan area, totaling $820M. These loans supported approximately 74K jobs in the local economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Of these loans, 8,972 (96.4%) were fully forgiven. However, 336 loans totaling $25M remain unforgiven and are potentially subject to SBA collection, Treasury offset, or DOJ enforcement action.
Lincoln is part of Nebraska, 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 Lincoln
Lincoln 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 Lincoln borrowers for several more years.
Lincoln vs. Nebraska Average
Frequently Asked Questions: PPP in Lincoln
How many PPP loans were issued in Lincoln, NE?
Lincoln, Nebraska received approximately 9,308 PPP loans totaling $820M between April 2020 and May 2021. The average loan size was $88,091, supporting approximately 74K jobs in the Lincoln metro area.
How many PPP loans in Lincoln were not forgiven?
Approximately 336 PPP loans in the Lincoln metro area (3.6% of total) were not forgiven, representing $25M in outstanding obligations. These borrowers may face Treasury collection actions or SBA enforcement.
What is the PPP enforcement risk in Lincoln?
Lincoln is in a "Standard" enforcement risk area. The DOJ PPP Strike Force and SBA OIG maintain active investigations in major metro areas. Borrowers in Lincoln with unforgiven loans or application discrepancies should be aware of ongoing enforcement activity through 2030-2031.
Can I still face a PPP audit in Lincoln 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. Lincoln borrowers remain at risk regardless of whether their loan was forgiven.
Are You at Risk?
336 Lincoln 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.