what is the small business administration sba 
the small business administration sba is a u s government agency designed to bolster and promote the economy by assisting the country s small businesses established in 1953 the sba s primary function is to counsel individuals who want to start and grow their own businesses it provides a series of tools on its website to assist new and existing small business owners 1 the agency is headed by an administrator and deputy administrator and also has a chief counsel for advocacy and inspector general all of whom are confirmed by the senate 2 the sba has at least one office in every state the district of columbia and various american territories 3understanding the sbathe sba offers substantial educational information with a specific focus on assisting small businesses to develop and grow as noted above the agency has numerous tools for businesses that can be accessed on its website including a small business planner and additional training programs according to its website the sba provides the following services to small businesses 45the agency has helped countless small businesses across the country get access to loans loan guarantees contracts and other services isabella casillas guzman is the administrator of the sba prior to holding this office she served as the director of california s office of the small business advocate 6the sba loan programthe loan programs offered through the sba are among the agency s most visible offerings and they come with longer repayment periods for small businesses the agency doesn t actually issue loans itself with the exception of disaster relief loans instead loans are backed or guaranteed by the sba and issued directly by lenders that meet the agency s guidelines 7loans backed by the sba include small businesses qualify for loans more easily when they are guaranteed by the sba the agency also allows entrepreneurs to make lower payments for a longer period of time despite numerous attempts to do away with the sba entirely many political officials and offices continue to support it the sba s ability to offer loans was also significantly strengthened by the american recovery and reinvestment act arra of 2009 and the small business jobs act of 2010 the sba has local offices throughout the united states and associated territories that provide more personalized special events for small business owners these offices provide in person one on one counseling services that include instruction on writing a business plan and assistance with small business loans 