| SBA Program |
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Eligibility for SBA 504 Loans
- Organized as a for-profit business. The only not-for-profit companies eligible for SBA 504 loans are sheltered workshops.
- Legal entity-corporation, partnership, sole proprietor, limited liability company.
- Any type of legitimate business- manufacturing, wholesale, service, professional service or retail.
- Located in or planning to locate in any area of the United States.
- Small business - either: net worth under $7.5 million & net profits after taxes under $2.5 million or meet SBA's other size standards (by sales or number of employees depending on NAICS code).
- Planning to use the loan proceeds for capital investment (land, building, leasehold improvements, renovation, construction, machinery & associated soft costs). The SBA 504 loan program is not a working capital program. See uses of loan proceeds section for more details.
- Another lender must be willing to participate in the financing. The SBA 504 loan finances up to 40% of the total project cost and the other lender finances 50%. The business or its owner typically puts in 10%. Economic development goals must be achieved through the project being financed. See section on economic development requirements.
- Owner-user of the project being financed (51% occupancy if existing building; 60% occupancy if new construction) Two or more unrelated small businesses may receive a 504 loan to buy or construct a building as long as they, together, will occupy at least 51% an existing building or 60% of new construction.
Companies that are not eligible for SBA 504 loans are: not-for-profit businesses (except sheltered workshops); businesses engaged in lending (such as banks, finance companies); passive holders of real estate and/or personal property; life insurance companies -- however an insurance agency is eligible;) businesses located in a foreign country or owned by aliens; businesses selling through a pyramid plan; illegal businesses; businesses which restrict patronage; government owned entities (excluding Native American Tribes); businesses engaged in promoting religion; consumer and marketing cooperatives (producer cooperatives are eligible); businesses engaged in loan packaging; businesses owned by persons of poor character; equity interest by lender, CDC or associates in applicant concern; businesses providing prurient sexual material; businesses that have previously defaulted on a Federal loan; businesses engaged in political or lobbying activities; and speculative businesses.