Manufacturing loans backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) have soared in the early months of the Trump Administration. In the first 90 days of 2025, the number of SBA 7(a) loan approvals for small manufacturers jumped by 74% compared to the same period during the Biden Administration. This significant uptick highlights renewed interest and investment in the manufacturing sector.
The SBA’s 7(a) loan program—its primary lending vehicle—offers government-backed loans to help small businesses finance equipment, real estate, working capital, and expansion. Since January 20, 2025, more than 1,120 loans totaling $677 million have been approved for manufacturers. In contrast, fewer than 650 loans totaling $497 million were approved during the same time in 2021. With 99% of U.S. manufacturers classified as small businesses, this growth reflects a substantial impact.
SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler emphasized the momentum, crediting pro-growth policies under President Trump. “Loan applications and approvals for small manufacturers are surging—a clear sign that American manufacturing is roaring back,” she said. Loeffler attributed the uptick to a national agenda focused on restoring U.S. economic strength, supporting job creation, and rebuilding domestic supply chains.
Trump-era policies—including tax reductions, deregulation, tariffs, and a push for energy independence—are widely seen as contributing factors to the manufacturing rebound. The sector added 10,000 jobs during Trump’s first full month in office, following a year in which the U.S. lost over 111,000 manufacturing jobs under President Biden.
With SBA loans playing a key role, the data suggests that small manufacturers are gaining renewed confidence and expanding operations. As demand for domestic production grows, the SBA’s role in facilitating affordable financing remains a pivotal component of the ongoing U.S. industrial recovery.
