Guest post by Kimberly Holley of Mountain West Small Business Finance

Small manufacturers are receiving major support through the SBA’s Made in America Manufacturing Initiative, a national effort to strengthen U.S. production capacity. The initiative focuses on five core areas:

• Cutting regulatory barriers through the SBA Office of Advocacy
• Expanding workforce training via the Empower to Grow (E2G) program and new grant funding
• Building a skilled labor pipeline through an SBA–Department of Labor partnership that links financing with registered apprenticeships
• Improving access to federal contracts through set-asides, sole-source awards, and mentoring programs
• Increasing access to capital, with special enhancements for SBA 504 and 7(a) loans

A major highlight is the SBA 504 loan program, which offers long-term, fixed-rate financing for real estate and equipment. Manufacturers can secure up to $5.5 million on the SBA-backed portion with as little as 10% down, thanks to the typical 50/40/10 loan structure shared by the bank, Certified Development Company (CDC), and borrower. With repayment terms of 10, 20, or 25 years and fixed interest rates, manufacturers benefit from predictable payments, improved cash flow, and insulation from rate volatility.

Beginning October 1, 2025, manufacturers (NAICS 31–33) will also gain access to exclusive fee waivers on both SBA 504 and 7(a) loans. For 504 loans—including refinances—the upfront guaranty fee and the annual servicing fee drop to 0%, eliminating key SBA-related costs for the entire life of the loan. This substantially reduces borrowing expenses and increases available capital for expansion.

Regulatory updates have further enhanced the 504 program by streamlining debt refinancing options, allowing manufacturers to refinance real estate or equipment debt with fewer restrictions. These changes help businesses lower payments, free up capital, and strengthen financial stability.

Overall, the SBA 504 loan program remains a cornerstone resource for small manufacturers—offering high-capacity financing, affordable terms, low upfront costs, and new fee eliminations that make modernization and growth more attainable than ever. As your SBA lending partner, we are committed to helping you and your manufacturing clients leverage these tools to expand production, hire workers, and strengthen American manufacturing.

Article written by RMCRE Affiliate:

Kimberly Holley
Vice President / Loan Officer
Mountain West Small Business Finance
Denver Colorado
801.719.1805