NEW ORLEANS, LA — Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) South Central Region announced its FY25 Third Quarter toplines, revealing a remarkable period of growth and support for small businesses. Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Administrator Kelly Loeffler, the SBA is supporting an entrepreneurial boom, empowering small business owners by enhancing access to capital, fostering crucial job creation, and revitalizing manufacturing throughout the South Central Region.

The SBA’s flagship 7(a) and 504 loan programs have seen significant growth in terms of loan approvals. In the South Central Region, SBA loan approvals are up 10% over the 3rd quarter of the last fiscal year. The SBA places the federal guarantee on traditional lending products which are underwritten and funded by private dollars from SBA lenders.

“Since President Trump took office, the SBA has facilitated over $2.8 billion to small businesses across the South Central Region with 4,446 SBA-backed loans that have created or supported nearly 49,000 jobs,” says SBA South Central Regional Administrator Justin Crossie. “This exceeds the lending across the same time period during the previous administration when $2.2 billion was guaranteed to 3,556 small businesses, creating or supporting 38,000 jobs regionwide.”

FY25 year-to-date 7(a) and 504 loan approvals by SBA District include $279 million in SBA-backed loans approved creating or supporting over 5,700 jobs

According to Regional Administrator Crossie, the continued impact of these local efforts is further amplified by the broader national strategies spearheaded by the SBA. In line with these efforts, President Trump’s Economic Agenda has streamlined access to capital, making it more accessible for entrepreneurs.

As part of President Trump’s Economic Agenda, Administrator Loeffler also rolled out the Made in America Manufacturing Initiative and created the SBA Office of Manufacturing & Trade within the first 100 days of the administration. This initiative aims to create jobs, secure our supply chains, and promote fair trade.

To further the Made in America Manufacturing Initiative, the SBA has also prioritized onshoring opportunities, providing the same tools to small American entrepreneurs that large businesses have. The SBA’s free Make Onshoring Great Again portal connects small businesses with verified U.S. manufacturers, producers, and suppliers to strengthen their supply chains and source all the components they need domestically, providing small business owners the opportunity to say, with authority, that their products are 100% “Made in America.”

Additionally, the SBA Office of Advocacy also launched the Red Tape Hotline, allowing small business owners and manufacturers to share feedback and submit onerous regulations for review. The goal is to cut $100 billion in regulation, which will ease the financial burden on small businesses and manufacturers.

“The capital assistance that SBA is bringing to U.S. manufacturers continues to be successful. Since President Trump took office, the South Central Region has guaranteed almost $108 million in SBA-backed loans to small manufacturers, creating or supporting over 1,800 jobs. I’m confident that the Made in America Manufacturing Initiative under Administrator Loeffler’s leadership will realize continued success not only in Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico but across the nation,” concluded Regional Administrator Crossie.

Stay up to date with SBA programs by visiting www.sba.gov or following is on X or LinkedIn.

SBA South Central
X/Twitter: @SBASouthCentral
LinkedIn: @SBA-South-Central

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.