SBA Launches Onshoring Portal for Small Manufacturers
What happened
The Small Business Administration has launched a new onshoring portal designed to help small manufacturers find U.S.-based suppliers. The tool aims to facilitate compliance with “Made in America” requirements for government contracts. The portal provides matchmaking services to strengthen domestic supply chains.
Why it matters
- The portal is part of the broader "Made in America Manufacturing Initiative," an SBA effort focused on strengthening national security by ensuring essential goods are produced domestically. - For defense contractors, this tool helps address the Department of Defense's increasing domestic content requirements under the Buy American Act, which rose to 65% in 2024 and will increase to 75% in 2029. - The portal provides access to a database of more than 1 million U.S.-based suppliers and is a free resource for small businesses looking to onshore their operations or strengthen domestic supply chains. - This initiative is led by SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler and includes measures beyond the portal, such as cutting $100 billion in regulations and expanding access to capital through the 504 and 7(a) loan programs for manufacturers. - The SBA is collaborating with private-sector platforms such as Thomasnet, IndustryNet, and CONNEX Marketplace to provide small businesses with access to these supplier networks. - The initiative also established a new Office of Manufacturing and Trade within the SBA to offer dedicated training and resources for small manufacturers. - Early interest in the portal has come from several key sectors, including defense, automotive, clean energy, and medical supplies. - There are over 603,000 small manufacturing businesses in the U.S., which collectively employ 4.8 million people and represent over 98% of all manufacturing firms.
Key numbers
- For defense contractors, this tool helps address the Department of Defense's increasing domestic content requirements under the Buy American Act, which rose to 65% in 2024 and will increase to 75% in 2029.
- The portal provides access to a database of more than 1 million U.S.-based suppliers and is a free resource for small businesses looking to onshore their operations or strengthen domestic supply chains.
- This initiative is led by SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler and includes measures beyond the portal, such as cutting $100 billion in regulations and expanding access to capital through the 504 and 7(a) loan programs for manufacturers.
- There are over 603,000 small manufacturing businesses in the U.S., which collectively employ 4.8 million people and represent over 98% of all manufacturing firms.
What happens next
- For defense contractors, this tool helps address the Department of Defense's increasing domestic content requirements under the Buy American Act, which rose to 65% in 2024 and will increase to 75% in 2029.
- The tool aims to facilitate compliance with “Made in America” requirements for government contracts.
Quick answers
What happened in SBA Launches Onshoring Portal for Small Manufacturers?
The Small Business Administration has launched a new onshoring portal designed to help small manufacturers find U.S.-based suppliers. The tool aims to facilitate compliance with “Made in America” requirements for government contracts. The portal provides matchmaking services to strengthen domestic supply chains.
Why does SBA Launches Onshoring Portal for Small Manufacturers matter?
The portal is part of the broader "Made in America Manufacturing Initiative," an SBA effort focused on strengthening national security by ensuring essential goods are produced domestically. For defense contractors, this tool helps address the Department of Defense's increasing domestic content requirements under the Buy American Act, which rose to 65% in 2024 and will increase to 75% in 2029. The portal provides access to a database of more than 1 million U.S.-based suppliers and is a free resource for small businesses looking to onshore their operations or strengthen domestic supply chains. This initiative is led by SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler and includes measures beyond the portal, such as cutting $100 billion in regulations and expanding access to capital through the 504 and 7(a) loan programs for manufacturers. The SBA is collaborating with private-sector platforms such as Thomasnet, IndustryNet, and CONNEX Marketplace to provide small businesses with access to these supplier networks. The initiative also established a new Office of Manufacturing and Trade within the SBA to offer dedicated training and resources for small manufacturers. Early interest in the portal has come from several key sectors, including defense, automotive, clean energy, and medical supplies. There are over 603,000 small manufacturing businesses in the U.S., which collectively employ 4.8 million people and represent over 98% of all manufacturing firms.
