How Fitting The SBA’s Small Business Definition May Help Your Business

If you own a small business and don’t want to use all of the money in your business savings account to fund its growth, you should consider other funding options, like an SBA loan. To qualify, your business would have to meet the SBA’s small business definition requirements. Currently, to fit the SBA’s definition of a small business, your revenue would have to be between $1 million to $41.5 million, depending on your industry, and you can employ anywhere from 100 to 1,500 employees.

*Varies by industry

The most important factors determining whether or not a business meets the SBA’s definition for “small” are the company’s industry, revenue and number of employees. The SBA provides a lengthy table describing employee and revenue limits for each industry, organized by NAICS code. Since the SBA reviews the size standards every five years, they are subject to change.

Which employees count?

All workers, including those employed on a full-time, part-time and temporary basis, contribute to your overall employee count. If you acquired another business, employees from that business would also contribute to your total. The SBA takes an employee count on a 12-month basis, or counts employees for each pay period if you have not yet been in business for a full year.

Certain government contracts and loan programs from the SBA are reserved for small businesses. To ensure the right companies receive these opportunities — including the relatively low interest rates that come with its loan programs — the SBA enforces eligibility requirements. If your company doesn’t match these small business definition criteria outlined by the SBA, you won’t qualify for those contracts or programs.

Furthermore, the SBA requires that small businesses also meet the following requirements to be eligible for funding:

• For-profit, officially registered and operating legally
• Physically located in the U.S. and operating in the U.S. or its territories
• Invested equity from the business owner
• Sound business purpose
• Ability to repay any debt

Businesses that meet the SBA’s small business definition and other small business qualifications can apply for SBA loan programs and federal contracting assistance. Your small business could be eligible for the following SBA-backed loans:

7(a) loan program: The SBA’s most popular program provides general-purpose loans for small business owners. You could borrow up to $5 million with repayment terms up to 25 years. Specialty loans within the 7(a) programs are available for certain needs like smaller loan amounts, export working capital or express time to funding.

CDC/504 loan program: Small businesses looking to acquire fixed assets — such as buildings, land or machinery — can borrow funds to finance their purchase. The maximum amount a business can borrow is $5 million for large assets that expand the business and create job opportunities. (Energy-efficient and manufacturing projects, as well as commercial real estate purchases, may qualify for up to $5.5 million.)

These loans are only available by using a Certified Development Company (CDC): Typically, the CDC provides up to 40% of the loan and a lender covers 50%. The business owner contributes the remaining 10%. The assets being purchased serves as collateral on the loan.

Microloan program: For smaller funding needs, the SBA microloan program provides up to $50,000 to small businesses that have trouble qualifying for traditional business loans. Repayment terms for microloans typically max out at six years. SBA microloans are generally targeted at women, low-income, veteran and minority business owners.

8(a) Business Development program: The SBA limits competition for certain government contracts to small businesses that participate in the 8(a) program. The goal is to help disadvantaged businesses win valuable contracts. To be eligible for the program, an owner who is economically or socially disadvantaged must control at least 51% of the business. The owner must also have a personal net worth of $750,000 or less, $6 million or less in assets or $350,000 or less in average adjusted gross income for three years. In addition, business owners must show good character and potential to successfully perform.

If approved for the 8(a) program, you could compete with similar businesses for set-aside or sole-source contracts — contracts federal agencies reserve for small businesses. You could also receive assistance such as business training, counseling or marketing help from a mentor who is also participating in the program.

Other benefits of meeting the SBA’s small business size standards

SBA-approved small businesses could have access to additional assistance, most notably resources set aside for women and veteran entrepreneurs.

Women-owned businesses: The SBA’s Women-Owned Small Businesses Federal Contracting program reserves federal contracts for qualified women-owned businesses. It’s like the 8(a) program, but specifically designed to give women entrepreneurs increased access to federal contracts.

The federal government has set a goal to award 5% of all contracting dollars for women-owned small businesses annually.

To become eligible, your business must:

• Meet the SBA’s small business definition guideline
• Be controlled by a woman who has at least 51% ownership
• Have women manage daily operations and make long-term business decisions

Organizations like the National Women’s Business Council and the Association of Women’s Business Centers also provide resources and opportunities for women-owned small businesses through partnerships with the SBA. To access resources for women-owned small businesses, you would need to receive certification from the SBA. You can apply for certification on the SBA’s website.

Veteran-owned businesses: Eligible veteran-owned small businesses could also access training programs and specialized loans through the SBA Office of Veterans Business Development. Programs like Boots to Business and the Veteran Federal Procurement Entrepreneurship Training Program teach veterans the skills to successfully run a small business.

However, becoming certified for these programs could be a lengthy process. The SBA would ask you to submit information about your business, such as organizing documents, past financial statements and a business plan, as well as personal information like income statements and proof of citizenship.

As an SBA small business, you may be able to qualify for government-sponsored business grant programs as well. Both the Small Business Innovation Research Program and Small Business Technology Transfer Program are tied to the SBA, and grant recipients would likely need to meet SBA size standards.

If your company meets the SBA’s small business definition, including the size standard and other qualifications, then you might be able to take advantage of a variety of federal loan and contracting programs to help your business grow and succeed. Spend some time reviewing the small business qualifications so you don’t miss out on any opportunity to improve your business, profitability, and viability.

To get help with additional questions you may have, contact your local small business development center.

This article was written by Jerry Brown and originally appeared on Magnify Money.