Buying guns and shooting targets in Lake Worth is officially part of the economic recovery effort.
According to data compiled by the nonprofit journalism website ProPublica,
the Palm Beach Shooting Center in Lake Worth received a $550,000 loan
backed by the Small Business Administration using stimulus funds.
The loan, which was awarded in February 2010, was made possible through a program designed to keep mom-and-pop operations afloat during the recession. Since 2009, federal stimulus funding has helped the government back billions of dollars in loans to small businesses that would not otherwise be able to get credit in the private marketplace.
In South Florida, the Small Business Administration has used
stimulus funds to guarantee loans to doctor's offices, bakeries, and
private schools. Companies obtain the loans from banks, but the
government insures a portion of each loan against default -- sometimes
guaranteeing up to 90 percent of the loan.
The Palm Beach Shooting Center is a licensed gun dealer, selling handguns, rifles, and ammunition, according to its website. Patrons can also shoot targets, receive shooting instruction, and take a class on carrying a concealed weapon.
The Pulp called the center this morning to ask how the owner used his $550,000 loan, but he was not available. We'll update when/if he responds.