The U.S. Small Business Administration backed 160 private loans for a combined $67.6 million in 2017, up from 157 loans for $53.7 million the year before. 

The agency backed 20 loans in September, the highest monthly total for the year. But the monthly loan dollar amount hit its peak in October at $10.4 million. The highs the previous year were 17 loans in March and $7.9 million in June. 

The projects associated with the loans created 624 jobs in 2017, down from 812 in 2016. 

In December 2017, 19 loans were backed for a combined $8.2 million in Central Iowa. The companies pledged to create 78 jobs. The Central Iowa figures include Polk, Story, Boone, Dallas, Madison, Warren, Marion, Jasper and Marshall counties. 

Among the larger loans in December was $1.9 million to the Molly Bremen dental office in Des Moines, expected to create four jobs. Sassy.illy Endeavors Inc. of Pleasant Hill, a home health care firm, took out a loan for $1.6 million and planned to create three jobs. Lawyers Galligan & Reid PC borrowed $1.2 million and planned to retain eight jobs but listed no new ones.

See the complete listing of Central Iowa SBA loans (Insider)