The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced that small manufacturers across the country are eligible for enhanced support through the SBA’s International Trade Loan (ITL) Program. The loans, which come with a 90% federal guarantee, will help manufacturers expand facilities, hire workers, and increase production – as part of the Trump Administration’s broader effort to rebuild America’s industrial dominance and strength. In addition, the SBA recently expanded ITL eligibility to include small businesses across the food supply chain, including those in the agriculture, production, and logistics industries.
The ITL program unlocks long-term, affordable financing to support American producers – offering borrowers additional flexibility through an increased SBA guarantee of 90% compared to the standard 75% guarantee for the agency’s flagship 7(a) Loan Program. This expanded support will give lenders greater confidence to deploy capital into domestic manufacturing, driving investments in machinery, facilities, and production capacity.
Starting May 1st, manufacturers across NAICS Sectors 31–33 will become eligible for the expanded ITL Program. Eligible businesses 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.
In support of this agenda, the SBA launched its Made in America Manufacturing Initiative last year. The agency waived loan fees for small manufacturers in Fiscal Year 2026 and established the first-ever loan program dedicated to American manufacturers. The SBA also launched its Make Onshoring Great Again Portal, a free tool designed to connect small businesses with a database of more than one million domestic suppliers and producers – and cut over $100 billion in red tape crushing small businesses, including manufacturers.
Lenders and small businesses interested in the updated International Trade Loan program can contact SBA’s national team of Finance Managers for more information. SBA’s Finance Manager team not only supports the ITL program but also serves as the agency’s working capital specialists and can help lenders and borrowers understand how ITL can be paired with SBA’s expanding suite of working capital solutions - including the MARC and Working Capital Pilot.
