Up to 20,000 small businesses nationwide may benefit from a new program launched this week by the U.S. Small Business Administration, which utilizes traditional 504 SBA-backed commercial mortgage loans to help struggling small enterprises.

The $15 billion measure stipulates that eligible businesses have at least 10 percent equity on a given property and structure a 50 percent/ 40 percent split between a private lender and the SBA.

Because the program does not require applicants to be expanding, the SBA is hoping the initiative will help out struggling or disadvantaged businesses in particular.

"Even small businesses that are performing well and making their payments on time could face foreclosure because of the difficulties they face in refinancing and restructuring their mortgage debt," said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. "This temporary program is another tool SBA can provide to help these small businesses remain viable and protect jobs."

Earlier this week, TMC, a Certified Development Company that provides SBA-backed 504 real estate loans, announced that lending to small businesses in California grew by 140 percent in the first fiscal quarter, providing a bit of encouragement for entrepreneurs creating a California LLC.

Tags : ca, financial management, small business management

Posted: Feb 17th, 2011