Economic Development

SBA: Working Capital Pilot Program Delivers $150 Million to Support U.S. Manufacturing

Flexible Credit Line Supports Expansion and Job Creation Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced a major milestone for its 7(a) Working Capital Pilot (WCP) Program, which has delivered more than $150 million in new lending since its inception – of which more than $125 million was approved since President Trump took office last January. The success of the…

SBA: Over 1,000 8(a) Firms Suspended from Program Following December Document Request

Action is Latest in Sweeping Effort to Dismantle DEI, Expose Fraud, and Restore Integrity to Federal Contracting Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the suspension of 1,091 firms from the 8(a) Business Development Program – representing about 25% of all firms registered to participate in the federal government contracting program. The suspension comes after the…

SBA: Clarifying Guidance Issued that Race-Based Discrimination Is Not Tolerated in the 8(a) Program

Action is Latest in Year-Long Effort to Dismantle DEI Discrimination, Expose Fraud, and Restore Fairness in Federal Contracting Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued formal guidance to SBA program officials reiterating, in alignment with policy changes implemented by Administrator Kelly Loeffler last year, that race-based discrimination within the 8(a) Business Development Program is unconstitutional and…

SBA: 2025 Annual Report Released

Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) published its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting the historic Year One results of the agency under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. The report documents the SBA’s return to its statutory mission of strengthening small businesses and driving economic growth, and a reversal in course following…

SBA: SBIC Reforms Finalized to Fuel Private Investment in Critical Industries

Final Rule Removes Red Tape, Incentivizes Investment in American Industrial Dominance Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the publication of a final rule modernizing the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program to incentivize private capital investment in critical industries and reduce regulations to support the reindustrialization of America. The final rule will take effect February 2, 2026. “Confidence in…

SBA: Growth in Demand for Manufacturing Drives Record Surety Bond Guarantees in FY25

SBA Backs Historic $10.6 Billion in Contract Value Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that its Surety Bond Guarantee (SBG) Program delivered record results in fiscal year (FY) 2025 with $10.6 billion in guarantees, marking the strongest year in the program’s history. In FY25, the program supported more than 2,200 small businesses – especially those within the construction,…

SBA: First MARC Loans Delivered to Support Manufacturers

$3.5 Million in New Capital will Supercharge Reindustrialization Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced it has approved its first round of 7(a) Manufacturers’ Access to Revolving Credit (MARC) Loans – already delivering $3.5 million in working capital to four manufacturers. The loan program, launched just prior to the federal shutdown, is the first-ever SBA loan offering dedicated…

SBA: Deregulation Strike Force Launched to Conduct Government-Wide Review of Regulations Impacting Small Businesses

Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) launched a new Deregulation Strike Force, dedicating a full team to the mission of identifying and eliminating excessive Biden-era regulations that have disproportionately increased costs for America’s small businesses and consumers. The strike force, led by the SBA’s Office of Advocacy, is working across all federal agencies to cut regulations that have…

EDA: U.S. Department of Commerce Hosts Economic Development Roundtable in Tallahassee, FL Highlighting Disaster Funding Opportunities

Today, Rob McLeod, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the U.S. Department of Commerce, and Ally Bain, Acting Chief of Staff for the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), hosted a roundtable discussion with local officials and economic leaders in Tallahassee to discuss initiatives driving local economic development following natural disasters. This event highlighted EDA’s Disaster Supplemental…

EDA: U.S. Department of Commerce Hosts Economic Development Roundtable in Columbia, SC Highlighting Disaster Funding Opportunities

Today, Rob McLeod, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the U.S. Department of Commerce, and Ben Page, Deputy Assistant Secretary and Chief Operating Officer at the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), hosted a roundtable discussion with local officials and economic leaders in Columbia to discuss initiatives driving local economic development following natural disasters. This event highlighted…