Simplified, flexible working capital for small manufacturers starts October 1, 2025.
What’s the deal?
The SBA just unveiled the Manufacturer’s Access to Revolving Credit (MARC) loan—its first-ever 7(a) product exclusively for small manufacturers, effective October 1, 2025.
- Borrow up to $5 million, via revolving credit or term loan.
- Use it for working capital: inventory, new projects, expansion, tapping equity in facilities/equipment.
- You can stack this with other SBA or commercial loans for greater funding flexibility.
TL;DR:
The SBA is launching MARC loans on October 1, 2025, giving small manufacturers up to $5M in revolving or term credit for working capital, inventory, and growth. It’s the first SBA 7(a) program built specifically for manufacturers, offering more flexibility than standard loans and designed to help small producers scale faster.
Why this matters—no nonsense:
- Hyper-focused tool: Nearly 98% of U.S. manufacturers are small businesses. This is tailored capital, not a one-size-fits-all working capital loan.
- Zero fluff for growth: Allows scaling, winning new accounts, or investing in new lines without tying up existing equity.
- Flexibility = speed: Revolving credit means handling cash flow spikes or lumpy timing without constant reappraisal.
Context within the SBA ecosystem:
Here’s how MARC compares to existing SBA programs:
| Program | Max Amount | Use Cases | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7(a) MARC | $5 million | Working capital, inventory, etc. | Revolving/term flexibility |
| Standard 7(a) | $5 million | Real estate, equipment, etc. | Broadest use cases |
| 504 Loan | $5–5.5 million | Fixed assets, real estate | Long-term, fixed-rate |
For business owners like you:
- Run the numbers now. Model your cash flow, inventory needs, and funding gaps. If any spike or expansion needs $250K–$5M, this is your tool.
- Establish your 7(a) foundation. Talk to an SBA-approved lender now—prep financials, forecasts, and credit info so you aren’t scrambling come October.
- Plan for stacking. Think 504 for equipment or facilities + MARC for operating liquidity.
- Automate the monitoring. Use your systems (n8n, CRM, etc.) to trigger alerts when inventory hits reorder threshold—tie that to loan draw capabilities once approved.
Quick play-by-play:
- Audit your growth trajectory. Pinpoint if working capital is a blocker.
- Set up or confirm your relationship with an SBA lender.
- Prepare loan package documents in advance, especially forecasting use case scenarios tied to MARC.
- Launch your application around October 1, 2025.
- Automate draw-downs and reconciliation so the loan powers growth, not distraction.
Bottom line: stop treating finances like a firewall—you need liquidity engines, not just pots of cash. MARC is exactly that—laser-focused capital to fuel expansion in manufacturing. You’re building systems, not waiting on approvals. Act like it.
Want help picking complementary automation or building that from scratch?
👉 Ready to leverage SBA’s new MARC loan?
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