Axios announced Tuesday that it will be returning the government Paycheck Protection Program loan designed to help the company avoid layoffs, reports The Wrap.

The decision comes as the company nears “a deal for an alternative source of capital.”

Founder and CEO Jim VandeHei wrote:

“In the four weeks since Axios applied for the loan, based on big coronavirus business losses, there has been a public backlash against a variety of companies for taking the PPP, including us.

“Some critics say media companies like ours should not qualify, period. Others argue that venture-backed start-ups should seek capital elsewhere, even if it hurts the business.

“We remain fully committed to protecting the jobs of all 190 existing employees.”

He concluded by saying that he hopes the return of the loan will “free up $4.8 million in loans for other small businesses still struggling to find capital.”

Mariam Ahmed

Recent Posts

Advocate seeks a business reporter in Baton Rouge

The Advocate is looking for a savvy reporter to cover the Baton Rouge business scene…

1 day ago

MLex seeks a reporter in Washington

MLex, a LexisNexis company, is an independent news organization for breaking news and forward-looking analysis…

1 day ago

Austin Biz Journal seeks an economic development reporter

The Austin Business Journal seeks a staff writer to cover economic development in one of…

1 day ago

Forbes journalist in Russia placed under house arrest

A Russian court on Saturday placed Sergei Mingazov, a journalist for the Russian edition of…

1 day ago

Investor’s Business Daily turns 40

Justin Nielsen of Investor's Business Daily writes about the newspaper's 40th anniversary. Nielsen writes, "When the…

1 day ago

Fieseler to cover renewable energy, climate and tech for Politico/E&E News

Clare Fieseler has been hired by Politico and subsidiary E&E News to cover renewable energy,…

1 day ago