WASHINGTON-Eligible small business owners now have more options to refinance eligible fixed assets and business expenses through the Small Business Administration 504 Refinance Program.
The program was made permanent late in May of 2016. This change will help small business owners ease their financial burdens and create incentives for potential expansion and further job creation.
Of the news Minnesota District Director Nancy J. Libersky said, "SBA's 504 Refinance Program opportunities were only available for a short time about four years ago. We're excited to see it reauthorized and now permanently available."
The 504 loan program with its long term fixed-rate can help refinance debt from adjustable rate loans with significant savings to borrowers. Paying off existing loans with a new loan at a lower cost can help increase cash flow, which can be especially helpful in a resurgent economy.
The SBA will begin accepting applications from small business owners effective June 24, 2016. Also, concurrent with the announcement, a public comment period will begin for the public to make recommendations that SBA will review for further program enhancements in the future. The public comment period will end July 25, 2016.
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On Dec. 18, 2015, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016, which made the 504 Debt Refinancing Program a permanent part of the 504 Loan Program. The 504 Refinance Program was originally a temporary measure under the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. This temporary debt refinance program expired on Sept. 27, 2012.
The SBA is authorized to approve up to $7.5 billion for the regular 504 Loan Program and $7.5 billion in lending authority under the 504 Debt Refinancing Program, which brings the total 504 lending combined authorization to $15 billion.
The 504 Debt Refinancing Program is authorized to operate only in fiscal years during which the subsidy costs to the government are zero.
The U.S. Small Business Administration was created in 1953 and since Jan. 13, 2012, has served as a Cabinet-level agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, the SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam.
