The Small Business Administration (SBA) unveiled a new small business loan program for small manufacturers Wednesday.
The 7(a) Manufacturer's Access to Revolving Credit (MARC) loan program provides up to $5 million for small businesses in a number of critical manufacturing sectors. The program is SBA's latest effort to promote reshoring of critical manufacturing, a key domestic policy priority of the Trump Administration.
“With 98% of American manufacturers classified as small businesses, the new MARC Loans represent a powerful source of targeted capital for those who are growing our nation’s production,” Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler said in a
statement. “The SBA is working alongside President Trump to rebuild our industrial dominance by empowering small businesses to bring back Made in America. For decades, our manufacturers and workers were crushed by bad trade deals that outsourced American jobs, supply chains, and strength. Thanks to the America First Agenda, we’re building again – and this working capital program will empower manufacturers to create jobs, supercharge growth, and reshore American industrial might.”
The new program applies to small businesses in manufacturing
sectors like food and beverage manufacturing, textiles, apparel, petroleum and coal products, chemical manufacturing, metals and fabrication, machinery, computer and electronics manufacturing, transportation, and furniture.
Qualifying businesses can receive up to $5 million in funding for any short-term working capital needs, such as inventory purchases or new projects. The loans can be for a fixed term of up to 10 years, or a revolving line of credit for up to 20 years. They can also be combined with other SBA loans and conventional business loans.
In its
appendix with guidelines for lending institutions, the SBA instructs them to use "commercially reasonable and prudent practices" in determining the amount of collateral, and requires them to place a lien on all business assets at minimum. However, SBA notes that loan applications are not to be denied on the sole basis that the applicant does not have enough collateral.
"In fact, one of the primary reasons Lenders use the SBA-guaranteed program is for those Applicants that demonstrate repayment ability but lack adequate collateral to repay the loan in full in the event of default," the appendix states.
The new loan program is the latest plank of the SBA's "Made in America Manufacturing Initiative," which aims to increase access to capital for manufacturers, decrease regulation, connect to American suppliers, and provide resources for small manufacturers to export their products globally.
In May, SBA launched the "
Make Onshoring Great Again Portal," a free online tool that allows manufacturers to access a database of some 1 million American-based suppliers. SBA has also
committed to cutting $100 billion in regulatory red tape; and reducing barriers to the 504 loan program, SBA's other loan program for real estate, construction, and equipment purchases.
SBA also
supported the "Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act of 2025," written by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas), which would double the legal maximum for SBA loans for small manufacturers from $5 million to $10 million.
