Small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMBs with revenues from ~$1M to $10M) are facing unique challenges, including capital needs for inventory, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and rising material costs. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has recently introduced a loan program explicitly aimed at manufacturers. If you’re scaling a manufacturing business, this is one to watch — here’s what you need to know, how it works, and additional resources to help you leverage it.

What is the MARC Program?

“MARC” stands for Manufacturers’ Access to Revolving Credit. It’s a new SBA loan product dedicated to U.S.-based manufacturers. Some of the key features of this type of manufacturing loan include:

• Complements SBA’s existing 7(a) and 504 loan programs (SBA.gov).
• Offers flexible lines of credit or term loans.
• Covers working capital, inventory, and project funding.
• Available starting October 1, 2025, with maximum loan amounts up to $5 million per borrower 

How MARC Compares to Other SBA Loan Programs

Here’s a side-by-side look at MARC, 7(a), and 504 loans with manufacturer-specific callouts:

You need cash for orders, inventory surges, or to bridge short-term projects

You want a multi-purpose loan covering more than just working capital

We thought it would be helpful to have a practical checklist for preparing, applying, and maximizing these new programs. Feel free to use this as your roadmap:

Assess your funding needs & use case

• Define whether you need working capital, inventory financing, or project funding.
• Estimate loan size, repayment timeline, and how the loan supports scaling.
• Factor in seasonality, supply chain lead times, and cash cycle length.

Review and organize your financials

• Prepare up-to-date financial statements: P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow.
• Collect the past 2–3 years of tax returns.
• Build forward-looking projections (12–24 months).
• Have an accountant review for accuracy — lender confidence rises with verified data.

Confirm SBA size standards for your NAICS code

• Use the SBA Size Standards Table to confirm eligibility.
• Document your NAICS code and keep it handy for your lender.

Research and connect with SBA-approved lenders & CDCs

• MARC loans are new, so confirm the lender participates.
• Prioritize SBA Preferred Lenders (PLP).
• Seek lenders with manufacturing experience and request client references.
• Compare terms from at least two lenders.

Prepare your application package

• Business Plan/Narrative: Describe operations, growth strategy, and loan purpose.
• Financial Package: Historical statements, AR/AP aging, tax returns, projections.
• Management Résumés: Showcase leadership and operational expertise.
• Collateral Documentation: Equipment appraisals, real estate records, if relevant.
• Personal Financial Statements: For owners with 20%+ ownership.

Leverage SBA add-on resources

• Fee Waivers: From Oct 1, 2025 – Sept 30, 2026, SBA is waiving many upfront and servicing fees for manufacturing loans
• Workforce Training Grants: Apply for Empower to Grow (E2G) to upskill staff.
• Onshoring Portal: Use Make Onshoring Great Again to strengthen U.S.-based supply chains.
• Export Programs: If exporting, explore the SBA STEP program for overseas market entry.

Apply, negotiate, and monitor post-funding

• Submit a complete application (missing documents = delays).
• Negotiate terms: repayment schedule, revolving vs. term loan, collateral, covenants.
• Post-funding, monitor key metrics: debt service coverage ratio, inventory turnover, gross margin.
• Maintain communication with your lender to build trust.

Build a cushion into your projections

Maintain clean, reviewed financials

Match loan type to your business needs first

Review disclosure & ask lender to clarify

Pair MARC with training grants & onshoring tools

For manufacturers in the $1M–$10M revenue range, the SBA’s new MARC program, paired with fee waivers, workforce grants, and supply chain tools, represents one of the most significant opportunities in years. 

By preparing carefully, connecting with the right lender, and leveraging related SBA resources, you can position your business with a manufacturing loan to scale smarter, stay resilient, and compete in today’s fast-changing market.