Michigan Business Beat | Brad Zaun, SBA, Strengthening Small Business & U.S. Manufacturing

Jeffrey Mosher welcomes back Brad Zaun, Acting Great Lakes Regional Administrator, SBA U.S. Small Business Administration Welcome back to the show, Brad! I hear you just landed in Phoenix for the third SBA Manufacturing Supply Chain Matchmaker, similar to the one the agency held in Detroit last month. Tell, me how is it going and what’s the impact these matchmakers have had strengthening American small businesses and Made In America growth Speaking of growth, the SBA signed an MOU with the Department of Labor (20250716-DOL-SBA-MOU.pdf)aimed at, as Administrator Loeffler says, “ cultivating a pipeline of skilled workers and capital to support their growth in a powerful new era of Made in America.” Tell us more, and how the two agencies are working together building a more skilled workforce that small business owners can tap into? Late last week, the SBA announced SCALE – $9 M in grant funding for the Supply Chain Acceleration and Logistics Enablement Program for public or private entities, nonprofit orgs, and institutions capable of delivering accelerated programs, tech assistance, and services helping small businesses grow priority supply chains in advanced tech and manufacturing. What does this look like, how can parties apply, and what’s the deadline? In honor of the U.S.’ 250 years of independence, the SBA has created the 250 pledge. Tell us more and how small businesses can sign up? The Midwest – including Michigan, have been hit by a lot of storms, winds, flooding, tornadoes, and drought over the past year. Tell me more about SBA’s Disaster Recovery programs and where people can find out more, find if they are in a covered impacted area, and how to apply for assistance? Disaster assistance | U.S. Small Business Administration MySBA Loan Portal Disaster Declaration Search SBA Announces $9 Million in Grant Funding for the Supply Chain Acceleration and Logistics Enablement (SCALE) Program Funding will help small firms scale production and support strategic priorities Published on July 23, 2026 WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced it is seeking proposals for a new funding competition as part of the Supply Chain Acceleration and Logistics Enablement (SCALE) Program, which will award 20 grants of up to $500,000 each over a two‑year period of performance. The program, which will provide a total of $9 million in funding, is designed to help small businesses address supply chain constraints, increase production, and expand participation in strategically important supply chains. “Thanks to President Trump’s tireless commitment to building in America, this Administration is driving the most aggressive reindustrialization effort our nation has ever seen,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “The Trump SBA is dedicated to strengthening our manufacturing base by supporting the capital and resources required to return to Made in America. The SBA’s SCALE Program offers targeted support to rebuild critical supply chains across our industrial base by empowering high‑potential domestic suppliers to meet new demand, reshore production, and put American workers and producers back in charge of the industries that keep our nation strong - from agriculture and energy to defense.” ### About the U.S. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.