Hi Eric, Even though SBA does not loan money directly to small business owners, we play an important role for people who want to finance or grow their business. When you apply for a SBA-backed loan at your local bank or credit union, you are asking SBA to provide a guarantee that you will repay your loan as promised. You can read more about how SBA can help grow your business. You may also want to check out the resources available in our "Thinking About Starting" section to help you make your decision. Another good place to start is with a SBA resource partner: SCORE or Small Business Development Centers. These organizations provide free business counseling and training. To find your nearest SBA resource partner, enter your zip code at SBA Direct.

There are a lot of revolving loan funds and micro loans available to businesses just like yours.  These programs are initially funded through agencies such as SBA, USDA, EDA, etc and intermediaries such as economic development agencies relend them to small businesses.  The problem with these programs is that they can be hard to find. One site that makes it easier to find these programs because they are categorized by county is www.businessloanfunds.com

You might check the USDA web site and look for loans or for loan guarantee programs. Look under the USDA Rural Development section of their web site. If you will be creating new jobs in your community, you may qualify for assistance, including tax credits.