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Boosting Small Manufacturers

May 12, 2026 update from our friends at the DoW OSBP:

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SBA Launches Enhanced Loan Guarantee Program for Eligible Manufacturers

Small business manufacturers have a new opportunity to access capital and scale their operations through the U.S. Small Business Association’s (SBA) “Made in America Loan Guarantee” program. This initiative is designed to help small businesses expand facilities, hire workers, and increase production—key steps in strengthening both domestic manufacturing and national security. Starting May 1, 2026, eligible manufacturers across NAICS Sectors 31–33 may use the funds to:

• Upgrade or replace equipment to improve productivity and reduce unit costs.
• Modernize facilities and production lines to meet customer and national security requirements.
• Diversify supply chains away from foreign adversaries and bring critical production back to the United States.
• Build more resilient inventory positions.
• Expand operations and capacity through strategic acquisitions.

By reducing lender risk, the loan guarantee can improve access to financing for small manufacturers looking to modernize operations, invest in equipment, or meet increasing demand tied to government and defense needs. When paired with efforts like the Civil Reserve Manufacturing Network, this loan guarantee creates real pathways for small manufacturers to scale, compete, and deliver for the warfighter.

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Note from your local APEX Accelerator: We recommend working with your local SBDC counselor to answer your small business loan and finance questions as APEX Accelerators do not handle loan questions but we thought this was relevant to our manufacturer clients. If you don’t have an SBDC counselor you can find yours here: https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/small-business-development-centers-sbdc