WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Small Business Administration will waive most upfront fees for small manufacturers in fiscal year 2026, a move officials say will expand access to capital and strengthen America’s industrial base.
The fee waivers, announced by SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler, will apply to 7(a) manufacturing loans of up to $950,000, which will carry no upfront fee, and to all 504 manufacturing loans, which will carry neither an upfront fee nor an annual service fee. The policy will take effect Oct. 1, 2025, and remain in place through Sept. 30, 2026.
“98% of U.S. manufacturers are small businesses – and by reducing loan fees, the SBA is eliminating barriers to capital so they can invest those dollars back into the mission of rebuilding America’s industrial base,” Loeffler said.
The initiative is part of President Donald Trump’s broader effort to revive domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. Officials said the fee relief is designed to allow small manufacturers to expand hiring, invest in growth, reshore jobs and supply chains, and bolster national security.
“With lower fees and new loan programs that support access to working capital, we are helping small businesses lead America’s industrial comeback,” Loeffler said. “This is about delivering the capital to help job creators expand production and train and hire more U.S. workers.”
The SBA framed the decision as a targeted investment in small manufacturers classified under NAICS codes 31 through 33, a sector it described as critical to restoring U.S. economic competitiveness and industrial dominance.
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