Small Business Administration: A Primer on Programs

Robert Jay Dilger
Senior Specialist in American National Government

The Small Business Administration (SBA) administers several programs to support small businesses, including loan guarantee programs to enhance small business access to capital; contracting programs to increase small business opportunities in federal contracting; direct loan programs for businesses, homeowners, and renters to assist their recovery from natural disasters; and small business management and technical assistance training programs to assist business formation and expansion.

Congressional interest in the SBA’s loan and contracting programs has increased in recent years, primarily because small businesses are viewed as a means to stimulate economic activity, create jobs, and assist in the national economic recovery. Many Members of Congress also regularly receive constituent inquiries about SBA disaster loans, the loan guarantee programs, and contracting programs. This report provides an overview of these programs, including changes made by P.L. 111-5, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and P.L. 111-240, the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. It also references other CRS reports that examine these programs in greater detail.


Date of Report: October 5, 2011
Number of Pages: 29
Order Number: RL33243
Price: $29.95

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