Small manufacturers across the country will soon be eligible for enhanced support through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) International Trade Loan (ITL) Program. The loans, which come with a 90% federal guarantee, is geared toward helping 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.
“Industrial dominance is essential to our national security and strength, and the Trump administration has taken historic action to incentivize “Made in America” through tax cuts, deregulation, fair trade and energy dominance – all of which are restoring American industries and jobs,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “The SBA is taking another step to support reindustrialization with our new Made in America loan guarantee, which will give US manufacturers additional financing to expand operations, modernize equipment, and supercharge domestic production.”
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 is expected to 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:
“The Made in America Loan Guarantee will be a game-changer for manufacturers across our region as President Trump and Administrator Loeffler double down on rebuilding the American supply chain,” said SBA Regional Administrator Matt Coleman, who oversees the agency’s operations in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “From precision manufacturers in the Empire and Garden States to food processors and logistics innovators in Puerto Rico, small businesses are ready to expand, modernize, and build the next generation of American industry – while creating good paying jobs for the middle class. This 90% guarantee gives local lenders the confidence to say ‘yes’ to fueling new jobs, stronger supply chains, and a more secure, self-reliant America.”
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.
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