U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMS

Program Purpose

The SBA New Mexico District Office is responsible for the delivery of the SBA’s many programs and services:

Technical Assistance (Training & Counseling) – Entrepreneurial Development; Office of Entrepreneurship Education; Native American Affairs; SBDCs; SCORE; Small Business Training Network; Women’s Business Ownership; International Trade.

Financial Assistance – Loan Programs; Specialty Loan Programs; Financial Assistance; Investment Division; Surety Guarantees; International Trade.

Contracting Assistance – Government Contracting/BD; Government Contracting; Size Standards; Surety Guarantees; Technology (SBIR/STTR).

Disaster Assistance Recovery – Disaster Assistance.

Special Interest – Women; Veterans; Native Americans; Opportunity Gaps; Young Entrepreneurs; International Trade.

Advocacy, Laws & Regulations – Advocacy; Ombudsman.

Civil Rights Compliance (CRC) – English; En Español.

The SBA provides financial, management and technical and procurement assistance to existing and potential small business owners. The SBA and its nationwide network of resource partners help millions of potential and current small business owners start, grow and succeed.

Deadline to Apply

N/A

Eligibility Description

Main eligibility factors for the SBA loans are:

– Size of business (as all loan recipients must be classified as “small” by SBA)

– Type of business (For profit; some franchises are eligible: check

www.franchiseregistry.com or call district office for assistance; mostly owner-occupied; non-speculative, non-investment; not illegal, no gambling, no lending activities, no pyramids)

– Purpose of loan: most business activities, except speculative activities and/or R&D

Contact the SBA office to obtain the additional information on requirements and eligibility criteria.

Special Conditions

The distinguishing features for SBA loan programs are the total dollar amounts that can be borrowed, the type of lenders who can provide these various types of loans, the uses for the loan proceeds, and the terms placed on the borrower. The business loans that SBA guarantees do not come from the agency, but rather from banks and other approved lenders. SBA works with these lenders to make available loans to small business owners who meet the eligibility criteria and requirements of the programs. Whether your target market is global or just your neighborhood, SBA and its resource partners can help at every stage of turning your entrepreneurial dream into a thriving business. If you are just starting, SBA and its resources can help you with loans and business management skills. If you are already in business, you can use SBA’s resources to help manage and expand your business, obtain government contracts, recover from disaster, find foreign markets, and make your voice heard in the federal government.

Funding Availability

Funding Potential for Award–The business loans that SBA guarantees do not come from the agency, but rather from banks and other approved lenders. SBA guarantees a portion of any particular loan so each loan will also have an unguaranteed portion giving the lender a certain amount of exposure and risk on each loan. The maximum SBA loan amount in the 7(a) program is $5 million and the maximum project size for the 504 program is approximately $12.5 million, it can vary based on how long the company has been in business and use of proceeds. Contact the SBA office for the detail information and criteria for each type of loan program.

Range of Awards–N/A

Funding Cycle – Duration–Contact the SBA office for information on SBA eligibility, requirements and criteria for the various available programs.

Source of Funds–Loans are made by banks and approved lenders through the SBA guaranty program. Contact the SBA office for information on the available programs and services.

Application Process

Deadline–None

How to Apply–The business owner or potential business owner should have a business plan prepared when applying for a loan. The plan should explain what resources will be needed to accomplish the desired business purpose including the initial cost outlay, the applicant’s contribution, use of loan proceeds, collateral, and most important, an explanation of how the business will be able to repay the loan in a timely manner. The individual applies directly with the lender of their choice and presents their business plan and loan proposal.

Selection Criteria & Decision Authority–N/A

Authorization

Federal agency/created by Congress to provide assistance to the small business community.

Related Programs

SBA’s resource partners, SCORE – Counselors to America’s Small Business, Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), and Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) provide confidential one-on-one counseling and training on various business topics. The management and technical assistance counseling guidance is offered free of charge by SCORE and the SBDCs and is offered at a minimal, low cost fee or at no cost by the WBCs. The WBC in New Mexico is WESST (The Women’s Economic Self Sufficiency Team). To locate a resource partner office in your area visit the following websites, contact the SBA NM District office at (505) 248-8828, or visit the SBA website at http://www.sba.gov/nm.

– SCORE offices: Albuquerque/(505) 248-8232, http://www.abqscore.org; Santa Fe/(505) 988-6302, http://www.santafescore.org; Las Cruces/(575) 523-5627, http://www.scorelascruces.org

– SBDCs – http://www.nmsbdc.org or call 1 (800) 281-7232

– WBCs (JWESST) http://www.wesst.org or call (505) 246-6900 (Headquarters office).

Frequently Asked Questions:

Please contact SBA with program questions.

1 Project Development Assistance Program funded by EPA.

2 Sustainable development activities may include the analysis of improving institutional/operational efficiencies in efforts to prepare for the implementation of a capital improvement project; the feasibility analysis of implementing sustainable development capital investments such as water conservation initiatives, water reuse opportunities, by-product recycling, renewable energy sources, or other; or other activities promoting environmental stewardship or sustainability.