The SBA quietly rolled out one of the most significant manufacturing financing programs in recent memory — and most small manufacturers have not heard about it yet.
The SBA Made in America Loan Guarantee went live May 1, 2026. It offers manufacturers a 90% federal guarantee on loans through the SBA's International Trade Loan (ITL) program — up from the standard 75% on traditional 7(a) loans. Combined with a fee waiver running through September 30, 2026, the timing window is narrow and the opportunity is real.
Here is what you need to know.
What Changed — and Why It Matters
The ITL program was historically reserved for businesses with international sales. That requirement is gone.
If your business operates under NAICS Sectors 31–33 — the full range of U.S. manufacturing — you are now eligible for the enhanced ITL program regardless of whether you have any international revenue. Domestic manufacturers, for the first time, have access to the same favorable guarantee structure previously limited to exporters.
The practical effect: lenders take on significantly less risk when the federal government guarantees 90 cents of every dollar loaned. That translates directly into more approvals, better terms, and access to capital for manufacturers who may not have qualified under conventional underwriting.
What the Program Covers
The Made in America Loan Guarantee supports a range of capital uses for qualifying manufacturers:
- Equipment upgrades and replacement — modernize production lines, reduce unit costs, improve throughput
- Facility expansion — build out or renovate manufacturing space to meet demand or national security requirements
- Supply chain diversification — shift sourcing away from foreign suppliers and build domestic production capacity
- Working capital — fund operations, materials, and production costs through the MARC program (Manufacturer's Access to Revolving Credit)
The MARC program, launched October 1, 2025, is a permanent addition to the SBA's 7(a) portfolio. It provides both revolving lines of credit and term loans up to $5 million specifically for manufacturers — designed to handle the extended payment cycles and large material purchases common in the sector.
The Fee Waiver Window: September 30, 2026
This is the detail most borrowers miss.
Through September 30, 2026, the SBA has waived upfront guarantee fees on 7(a) manufacturing loans up to $950,000 and eliminated both upfront and annual fees on 504 manufacturing loans. On a typical SBA loan, guarantee fees run between 2% and 3.75% of the guaranteed portion — on a $500,000 loan, that is $10,000 to $18,750 back in your pocket.
The fee waiver is automatic — your lender applies it during the SBA authorization process based on your NAICS code. But it expires September 30. If you are considering an expansion or equipment purchase and your business falls under NAICS 31–33, the cost of waiting past that date is measurable.
Who Qualifies
Eligibility for the Made in America Loan Guarantee requires:
- NAICS Sectors 31–33 — all manufacturing classifications, including durable goods (metal, wood, electronic), nondurable goods (food, textiles, chemicals), and advanced manufacturing
- SBA size standards — tangible net worth under $20 million and average post-tax income under $6.5 million
- U.S. ownership — as of March 1, 2026, SBA loans require 100% U.S. citizen ownership; businesses with non-citizen owners at any stake level are no longer eligible
- Sound repayment ability — lenders will evaluate cash flow, DSCR, and business history under standard underwriting criteria
The citizenship ownership change is significant and recent. If your business has any non-citizen ownership structure, confirm eligibility with an SBA-approved lender before proceeding.
How It Compares to a Standard SBA 7(a) Loan
| Standard SBA 7(a) | Made in America ITL | |
|---|---|---|
| Federal guarantee | 75% | 90% |
| Upfront fees (NAICS 31–33) | Standard (2%–3.75%) | Waived through Sept 30 |
| International sales required | No | No (new as of May 1, 2026) |
| Max loan amount | $5 million | $5 million |
| Eligible uses | Broad | Equipment, facilities, supply chain, working capital |
The higher guarantee does not change your interest rate directly — but it changes lender behavior. A 90% guarantee means more lenders will approve more applications at better terms than they would under the standard program.
What to Do Before September 30
The fee waiver deadline creates a real planning horizon. If you are a manufacturer considering any of the following in the next 12 months, the window to act under the current program is now:
- Equipment purchase or replacement
- Facility build-out or renovation
- Supply chain restructuring
- Working capital line for large contracts or material inventory
The application process through an SBA-approved lender typically takes 30 to 90 days depending on loan size and complexity. If September 30 is your deadline, the practical start date for your application is no later than July.
The SBA Made in America Loan Guarantee is a meaningful program for U.S. manufacturers — and the combination of the 90% guarantee with the fee waiver makes 2026 a year worth acting on. The program does not reward waiting.
If your business falls under NAICS 31–33 and you are considering a capital investment, speak with an SGF advisor to evaluate whether the ITL program fits your situation. You can also review our SBA financing overview for a full breakdown of available programs.