Money for a Small Business

More of this Feature • Free SBA Help Here • SBA Loan Programs • Size Limits • SBA Legal Help • SBA Links • Small Business Grants? The States Have Them! Related Resources • Online Legal Help for Small Businesses • Grants - No Free Lunch • Money - No Grants • Govt. Contracting • Jobs - Federal • Jobs - State From Other Guides • Working with Lenders • Veterans' Resources • Women-Owned Info • Working at Home • Family Businesses • Legal Assistance • Tax Guides • Small Business Canada Elsewhere on the Web • The SBA Web Site • Official Size Standards • Business Development Centers • Women's Business Center • Help from SCORE • Forms for SBA Loans

No grants, but plenty of free help
The U.S. government does not currently provide grants for starting or expanding a small business. However, the government does offer plenty of free help in planning how to start or improve your business and in securing low-interest SBA-backed small business loans. [Many States DO offer small business grants to individuals.]

["SBA does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses. SBA's grant programs generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments in an effort to expand and enhance small business technical and financial assistance." -- Source: SBA]

The "SBA" is the U.S. Small Business Administration. Since 1953, the SBA has helped thousands of Americans form small businesses. Today. SBA offices in every state, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico assist with planning, financing, training and advocacy for small firms. In addition, the SBA works with thousands of lending, educational and training institutions nationwide.

Are small businesses really worth it?
Why is the U.S. government interested in helping small business? America's 25 million small businesses employ more than 50 percent of the private work force, generate more than half of the nation's gross domestic product, and are the principal source of new jobs in the U.S. economy.

Can the SBA help you?
If your business is or will be independently owned and operated, not dominant in its field, and meets the maximum business size standards required, then yes, the SBA can help you.

• Also visit these two SBA sites for information on special programs, now available for a limited time - New Markets Venture Capital Program and BusinessLINC Program Announcement.

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