On this week’s free webinar, host and SBDC director, Kelly Bearden is joined by Dawn Golik, District Director for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Fresno District. Golik provides details on opportunities the SBA has available for small businesses including new loan programs, manufacturing support, and a variety of programs to help business owners and entrepreneurs to start, grow, or scale up.
This marks the 379th episode of the “Webinar Wednesday” business series that provides news and information helpful to employers and business owners.
New and existing businesses can go to https://csubsbdc.com/ for more information or to sign up to meet with a business advisor at no cost.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
00:21 What’s Up Today – May 6, 2026
02:39 Live Look-In: Ivan Ayala – 2026 SBA Fresno District Small Business Person of the Year https://www.bakersfield.com/opinion/community-voices/community-voices-national-small-business-week-growing-small-businesses-power-our-economy/article_980dabe8-3e07-449f-8e1d-3705471961a9.html
08:02 Capital Corridor: Yosemite Film Festival Kickstarter Update -Campaign at $10,562 of $15,000 goal; 79 backers; 70% funded
16:44 SBDC Tools to Help You Succeed
-CSUB SBDC YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@csubsbdc
20:07 Dawn Golik Presents: SBA Updates & New Programs
-Manufacturing is experiencing a real resurgence with SBA support
20:55 SBA Onshoring Portal -B2B connection platform for manufacturers & domestic suppliers
-Manufacturers: find domestic raw material suppliers
-Suppliers: connect with U.S. manufacturers who need your product
https://www.sba.gov/priorities/american-manufacturers/make-onshoring-great-again-portal
21:09 Made in America Loan Guarantee
-Use for: equipment upgrades, facility modernization, supply chain diversification, inventory resilience & expanding operations
22:06 New SBA Grocery Guarantee Program
-For ag & farming businesses (food production NAICS codes)
-Long-term, low-interest, affordable financing
https://www.sba.gov/article/2026/03/27/sba-announces-grocery-guarantee-promote-affordability
23:53 SBA Micro Loan Program
-Loans of $50,000 or less; ideal for startups
-Bank SBA lenders typically require 3+ years in business
-Micro lenders welcome startups and early-stage businesses
https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/microloans
24:37 Kelly rejoins Dawn
25:20 BREAKING: SBA Announces $50 Million Manufacturing Grant
-Supports American manufacturing & workforce training
-Grants available to organizations providing technical assistance to help manufacturers start up & scale up https://www.sba.gov/article/2026/05/06/sba-announces-new-50-million-grant-opportunity-support-made-america-manufacturing-workforce-training
26:46 Silver Tsunami: Buying an Existing Business
-Millions of baby boomer business owners nearing retirement
-Not all have family or employees to take over — big opportunity for buyers
-SBA 7(a) loan program available for business acquisitions
-Lenders look for cash flow demonstrated through tax returns
-EIDL loan assumption strategy can help buyers bridge financing gaps
-Lender Match platform: answer questions online, get connected with potential lenders within 48 hours https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/7a-loans
30:04 – Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
-Sellers who took EIDLs during COVID may have 30 year loans with ~25 years remaining at ~3.75% interest.
-Buyers can potentially assume these loans if they re qualify, facilitating business sales / debt transfer.
31:20 – SBA.gov provides information on servicing actions for existing EIDLs, including selling a business or loan assumption.
33:06 – Lender Match: An online platform on SBA.gov that connects small businesses with potential lenders within ~48 hours based on their capital needs.
https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/lender-match-connects-you-lenders
34:50 Q&A with Dawn Golik & Kelly
-What is Vertical IQ and how does it help?
-Finding manufacturers as a single-member LLC needing capital
-SBA Onshoring Portal for connecting with suppliers
-Startup capital: SBA micro lenders ($50K and under)
-Debt & capital ratio formulas lenders use
-Building business credit with low personal credit score
39:02 Credit, Financial Ratios, and Lender Expectations
– Lenders review financial ratios from balance sheets and profit & loss statements and compare them to industry benchmarks..
40:46 Credit and Financing Advice
– Building business credit takes several years.
– Some lenders may work with low personal credit for very small loans (e.g., ~$10,000 and under with ~550 business score).
-Work on improving personal credit and business credit over time