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U.S. Small Business Administration Resources

Learn about...

SBA Loan Programs

CDC - 504 Loans

Micro-Loan Program

The Micro-Loan Program was developed to increase the availability of very small loans to prospective small business borrowers. Under this program, the SBA makes funds available to nonprofit intermediaries, who in turn make loans to eligible borrowers in amounts that range from under $100 to a maximum of $25,000. The average loan size is $10,000. Completed applications can usually be processed by the intermediary in a particular geographic location.
In California:
Arcata, CA -
Arcata Economic Development Corporation
Aurburn, CA -
Sierra Economic Development Corporation
Fresno, CA -
Valley Small Business Development Corporation
Los Angeles, CA -
PCR Small Business Development
Oakland, CA -
Oakland Business Development Corporation
Salinas, CA -
California Coastal Rural Development Corporation
San Diego, CA -
CDC Small Business Finance Corp
San Francisco, CA -
Southeast Asian Community Center
Van Nuys, CA -
Valley Economic Development Corp

7(a) Loan Guaranty Program

The 7(a) Loan Guaranty Program is one of the SBA's primary lending programs. it provides loans to small businesses unable to secure financing on reasonable terms through normal lending channels. The program operates through private-sector lenders that provide loans that are, in turn, guaranteed by the SBA - the Agency has no funds for direct lending or grants.

Other Types of Loans

SBA Export Working Capital (EWCP) Program
A combined effort of the SBA and Export-Import Bank designed to provide short-term working capital to small business exporters.

SBA Defense Loan and Technical Assistance (DELTA) Program
A joint effort of the SBA and Department of Defense designed to provide financial and technical assistance to defense-dependent small businesses adversely affected by defense reductions.

SBA CAPLines Loan Program
Short term loans and revolving lines of credit designed to support small business short-term and cyclical working capital needs. There are five types of CAPLine Programs including the Seasonal Line, Contract Line, Builders Line, Standard Asset-Based Line, and Small Asset-Based Line.

SBA Loan FAQs

Visit SBA Loan FAQs to learn how an SBA Loan Program works and where to apply.

Federal Grant Resources

SBA grant programs generally support nonprofit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments in an effort to expand and enhance small business technical and financial assistance. The SBA does not offer grants to start of expand small businesses.

Counseling & Training

SCORE Counselors to America's Small Business
More than 10,000 volunteers provide training and one-on-one confidential counseling at no charge.
Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)
SBDC's provide training, counseling, research and other specialized assistance at nearly 1000 locations nationwide.
The SBDC website also provides useful Counseling Services in all functional areas of business management, including such areas as preventure feasibility, the business plan, marketing, record-keeping, financial planning, production, preparation of financial documentation for loan packaging and general management.
Women's Business Centers
SBA's network of more than 60 Women's Business Centers (WBC) [national site | state site] provide a wide range of services to women entrepreneurs at all levels of business development.

Business Start-up Kit

The Business Start-Up Kit offers information on entrepreneurial characteristics, getting started, sources and components of financing, regulations, local SBA resources, definitions of business terms, freqently asked questions.

Start-up FAQs

Learn the basics for starting a new business with Frequently Asked Questions

SBA Pubs

A Wealth of Business Knowledge

Online Forms & Library

SBA provides online forms and help desk. Access checklist for SBA/Bank Financing application, request for counseling, equal employment opportunity statement of policy, management training program, welfare to work forms, IRS forms, OSHA forms, and more.

Teens & Entrepreneurship

Explore, Decide, Build, Connect and Succeed in business by discovering and using online resources including a student activities guide, a volunteer guide, and an assessment tool.
Visit www.mindyourownbiz.org.

Did you know...

America's 23 million small businesses

employ more than 50 percent of the private workforce,
generate more than half of the nation's gross domestic product,
are the principal source of new jobs in the U.S. economy?
California is a great place to live AND work?

SBA State Offices

View contact information for CA district offices.

SBA stats

the nation's largest single financial
backer of small businesses
$45 billion-plus loan portfolio
helping more than one million small
business owners

"The SBA offers financing, training, and advocacy for small firms with offices in every state, including the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. In addition, the SBA works with thousands of lending, educational and training institutions nationwide. If your business is independently owned and operated, not dominant within its field, and falls within size standards, the SBA can be a useful resource."

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Note: This information is presented to provide a general overview of small business options and related services. It is not intended to be an exhaustive representation. Data has been compiled by the Knowledge Institute for informational purposes only. Content is provided on an "as is" basis and is not intended to, nor does it, provide advice or create a customer relationship between the Knowledge Institute, BUZGate™ and/or any other organization named herein, and any reader.

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