The U.S. Small Business Administration backed 11 private loans for Central Iowa businesses, for a combined $10.4 million.

The businesses pledged to create 52 jobs and to retain 76. 

The total amount SBA has backed in Central Iowa year-to-date — $52.1 million — is close to the total for all of 2016, $53.7 million. SBA has backed 128 loans in Central Iowa this year so far, compared with a full-year total of 157 for 2016. 

Central Iowa is defined as the counties of Polk, Story, Boone, Dallas, Madison, Warren, Marion, Jasper and Marshall. 

Among the largest loans SBA backed in that area in October was $2.4 million for Open Sky LLC of Huxley, a soap and detergent manufacturer that planned to create 24 jobs. Haykin Investments LLC of Marshalltown borrowed $2.2 million and Ducharme Dermatology Inc. of Clive, $1.2 million. Solace Dental PC of Urbandale took out a loan for $2.3 million. 

Statewide, SBA backed 33 loans for $23 million for 22 new and 11 existing businesses that planned to create 129 new jobs and retain 300 jobs. 

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