PPP Loan Data: Charleston, WV
Paycheck Protection Program statistics for the Charleston metro area. 6,934 loans disbursed, 333 unforgiven and potentially subject to enforcement.
Standard Enforcement Risk16.3% of WV total
Avg: $84,591 per loan
$25M outstanding
95.2% forgiveness rate
PPP Program Overview: Charleston, WV
Between April 2020 and May 2021, the U.S. Small Business Administration disbursed approximately 6,934 Paycheck Protection Program loans in the Charleston metropolitan area, totaling $587M. These loans supported approximately 51K jobs in the local economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Of these loans, 6,601 (95.2%) were fully forgiven. However, 333 loans totaling $25M remain unforgiven and are potentially subject to SBA collection, Treasury offset, or DOJ enforcement action.
Charleston is part of West Virginia, 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 Charleston
Charleston 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 Charleston borrowers for several more years.
Charleston vs. West Virginia Average
Frequently Asked Questions: PPP in Charleston
How many PPP loans were issued in Charleston, WV?
Charleston, West Virginia received approximately 6,934 PPP loans totaling $587M between April 2020 and May 2021. The average loan size was $84,591, supporting approximately 51K jobs in the Charleston metro area.
How many PPP loans in Charleston were not forgiven?
Approximately 333 PPP loans in the Charleston metro area (4.8% 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 Charleston?
Charleston is in a "Standard" enforcement risk area. The DOJ PPP Strike Force and SBA OIG maintain active investigations in major metro areas. Borrowers in Charleston with unforgiven loans or application discrepancies should be aware of ongoing enforcement activity through 2030-2031.
Can I still face a PPP audit in Charleston 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. Charleston borrowers remain at risk regardless of whether their loan was forgiven.
Are You at Risk?
333 Charleston 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.