About Us

What SBA Is And Does

Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the only independent agency of the federal government with the sole purpose of assisting small businesses to start, grow, and prosper. Through our extensive network of SBA Regional, Field, and Branch offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, the SBA delivers its services to the public throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. SBA is here to help you - the existing or prospective small business owner. Our commitment is to aid, counsel, assist, and protect the interests of small business concerns; to preserve free competitive enterprise; and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.

The Pittsburg District Office

The Pittsburgh SBA office is responsible for the delivery of SBA programs and services to 27 counties in western Pennsylvania. The office is located at 411 Seventh Avenue, Suite 1450, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Pittsburgh District Director is Carl B. Knoblock. The local phone number is (412) 395-6560.

Last year, the Pittsburgh District Office assisted hundreds of people through training, counseling and business-development programs.

The Pittsburgh SBA Office is committed to forming a closer partnership with lenders and with the community at large. Several agreements have been signed with companies and community organizations to increase lending and technical assistance to small businesses in the state of Pennsylvania.

Services Available

Free counseling and technical assistance, pre-business and business planning workshops, and information on starting and managing a small business are offered through the SCORE: "Counselors to America's Small Business".

Free counseling services are also available through a network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDC). SBDCs also conduct numerous training events throughout the district for a reasonable fee.

Minority Enterprise Development (MED)

The 8(a) Business Development Program was created to assist socially and economically disadvantaged business persons gain access to the resources necessary to develop small businesses and improve their ability to become independently competitive in the marketplace.

You may download a copy of the 8(a) Program Informational Brochure which provides detailed information on the benefits and requirements of the 8(a) program as well as eligibility and application procedures. To assist in the application process, the Pittsburgh District Office conducts an 8(a) Application Seminar locally the last Wednesday of each month. Please contact the Pittsburgh District Office MED staff at 412-395-6560 to register your firm for the Seminar or for further information.

Financial Assistance

The most active and expert lenders qualify for the SBA's Certified and Preferred Lenders Program. The Pittsburgh District Office assists hundreds of small businesses each year by providing financial assistance through the 7(a) guarantee and 504 loan programs. Working with the lending institution of your choice, you may obtain an SBA guarantee on your loan.

Other loan programs:

• Low Documentation (LowDoc)
  
• Microloan microlenders
  
• 504 Loan Program Certified Development Companies (CDCs)
  
• Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program. SBICs
  
• SBAExpress (formerly Fa$TRAK) Program SBAExpress lenders
  
• CAPLines - short-term & revolving lines of credit
  
• International Trade Loan Program
  
• Export Working Capital Program (EWCP)
  
• Defense Loan and Technical Assistance (DELTA) Program
  
• SBA Prequalification Loan Program

Special Emphasis Areas

Other financial assistance programs include:

• Surety Bond Program
• Government Contracting Assistance
• Prime Contracts Program
• Subcontracting Assistance Program
• Certificate of Competency (COC) Program
• Size Determination Program
• Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program
• PRO-Net (an electronic gateway of procurement information)

For more information or a brochure on any of these programs, please contact us at (412) 395-6560 or visit the SBA's Home Page .

Disaster Assistance

The purpose and mission of the Disaster Loan Program is to offer financial assistance to those who are trying to rebuild in the aftermath of a disaster. By offering low-interest loans, the SBA is committed to long-term recovery efforts. The agency will do everything possible to meet the needs of those otherwise unable to put their lives back together.