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Proctor's Auto Service Center in New Carrollton was honored last week as the first Prince George's County business to receive an American Recovery Capital Program loan from the federal stimulus package — making it one of only eight loans recorded in Maryland.

Despite owners Natalie and Timothy Proctor's enthusiasm at receiving the $35,000, which will cover the business' mortgage for the next three months, Maryland banks are among those which have given out the least amount of stimulus loans to date, according to the Small Business Administration Web site. In comparison, Minnesota banks have issued 62 loans.

About $245,800 in loans have been granted in Maryland, with five loans going through the SBA's Baltimore District Office and three going through the Washington District Office, which serves Prince George's and Montgomery counties, according to an e-mail from Rachel W. Howard, spokeswoman for the Baltimore office. Loans have been received by businesses in Annapolis, Deale, Easton, Hunt Valley, Williamsport, Rockville, Lanham and New Carrollton.

More than $51 million in loans have been awarded nationwide.

The amount of loans being made can depend on a state's size, population and the aggressiveness of its banks, said William McMullen, regional communications director for the SBA region that encompasses Maryland, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Delaware. He said many community banks are the ones making loans, and in certain markets banks are being spurred to action by big-name competition making several loans.

The Proctors' loan was also the first received through the Washington office, said Melissa H. Fisher, lender relationship specialist at the Washington office.

Natalie Proctor said their loan has been instrumental in helping the business weather the recession. The loan began covering the company's mortgage in August, allowing the owners to direct more money to other operational finances for the business, especially inventory. M&T Bank is administering the loan.

"I was extremely grateful," Proctor said.

The Proctors, who have previously used SBA services to purchase the building for their business, were especially pleased at the turnaround time between applying for the loan and learning they were a recipient, a process that took about three weeks, Natalie Proctor said.

"The recession has really wreaked havoc on the automobile industry," she said. "People have to realize it affects more than just dealerships." Proctor's Auto Service also sold vehicles about a year ago.

The business also reduced its work schedule to four days per week to avoid laying off workers, Natalie Proctor said, a move that allowed them to have a full crew when the peak season kicked off this summer. The 10-year-old business employs 10 people.

"In my tour of the car repair center, I could see first-hand how service is the Proctors' strong point. They are really the type of small business the SBA programs are designed to help…a community-based, family-owned small business," Bridget Bean, district director for the Washington office, said in an e-mail. Bean and other SBA officials were among those honoring Proctor's last week.

Proctor said her business is also being considered as a potential official success story for the program.