Since the onset of the pandemic, the US government has spent more than $1T on small businesses, keeping many afloat in unpredictable times.
However, the funds weren’t distributed evenly. For example, Black-owned companies received just 1.9% of Paycheck Protection Program loans during the pandemic, while white-owned businesses received 83%, reported Business Of Business.
Acknowledging that non-white companies have difficulty getting funding, the Treasury Department has announced $10 billion in funding using a familiar credit initiative for small businesses. The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) was first implemented during the Obama Administration to respond to the 2008-2009 financial crisis. This program is back.
The State Small Business Credit Initiative allocates federal funds to states that provide loans and capital to small businesses.
The most recent version provides $10 billion earmarked for small businesses. Over a third of these funds are specifically for socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, tribal governments, and technical assistance for micro-businesses.
Are You Eligible?
According to the Treasury, the federal government will use the funds to back investing and lending activities, with $3.5B allocated explicitly in these buckets:
- $500m: Micro-businesses (fewer than 10 employees)
- $2.5B: Total state funds for businesses owned by the socially and economically disadvantaged
- $500m: Technical assistance
States will receive funds based on a formula that accounts for hardships (e.g., job losses vs. national average). They set specific programs — explained in more detail below — that best target their respective locales.
A significant obstacle for the SSBCI is letting people know they are eligible and the application deadlines. Here’s an application overview and the US Treasury website with all the latest information about the program.
SSBCI Programs
The programs available under SSBCI include:
- Venture Capital Programs: Public-private partnerships can be set up for equity investing or investment in venture capital funds. These focus on providing capital to underserved startups and democratizing venture capital across geography and diverse founders.
- Loan Participation Programs: States, territories, and Tribal governments purchase an interest in the loans or lend directly alongside private lenders, providing direct financing opportunities to small businesses.
- Loan Guarantee Programs: States, territories, and Tribal governments use SSBCI funds to guarantee lenders that they will be partially repaid if the loan defaults, helping small businesses secure loans that may have otherwise been inaccessible.
- Collateral Support Programs: These programs set aside funds as collateral for new loans, enabling startups to borrow funds with the assistance of SSBCI capital.
- Capital Access Programs (CAPs): These programs provide portfolio insurance in a loan loss reserve fund which the lender and borrower contribute to, supplemented with SSBCI funds.
The bottom line
The SSBCI aims to promote equity, catalyze private investment, and fuel economic growth and good jobs. This aligns with Markaaz’s mission to provide small businesses equal access to opportunity and promote small business growth. We have a small business initiative of our own, the Small Business Economic Development Initiative (SBEDI), which allows small businesses to receive a year-long sponsored membership with Markaaz.
You can join the waitlist for the program here and learn more about our Directory and Dashboard for all businesses.
