SBA Offers $7.5M in New Manufacturing Funding

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering up to $7.5 million in new Regional Innovation Cluster program funding to support domestic manufacturing.

SBA officials said the funding is designed to provide resources and technical assistance to support reshoring and supply chain strengthening.

“Our new RIC funding and ongoing outreach serves small businesses with practical tools to reshore jobs and critical industries,” SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said in an Aug. 6 statement.

“Not only will small businesses rebuild our industrial base—they will solidify America as the global leader in advanced manufacturing and innovation for the long term.” 

The new funding will support the creation of as many as 20 RICs to assist small businesses.

The agency is seeking competitive proposals from organizations, particularly those with strong partnerships and experience supporting the following industries:  

• Advanced manufacturing 
• Critical minerals 
• Nuclear microreactors 
• Quantum tech, emerging systems, artificial intelligence 
• Information technology (cybersecurity, cyber operations, data storage, etc.) 
• Semiconductors 

Bids must be submitted by 4 pm, Aug. 8, 2025. 

The SBA launched the RIC Initiative in September 2010 to promote and support the development of geographically concentrated groups of interconnected businesses, suppliers, service providers, and associated institutions in a particular industry or field across the country.