WISCONSIN · NAICS 31-33
Fiscal 2026 gives Wisconsin manufacturers the strongest program economics, with 7(a) fees waived on loans up to $950,000, 504 fees waived entirely, and a $5.5 million debenture. Manufacturing anchors the state economy from industrial machinery to paper, and WBD's named book documents the 504 program financing it building by building.
FEASIBILITY TRIGGER
Fiscal 2026 gives manufacturers the strongest program economics, with 7(a) fees waived on loans up to $950,000, 504 fees waived entirely, and a $5.5 million debenture.
From FY2010 through FY2026, Wisconsin recorded 2,757 SBA-disbursed manufacturing loans across the 7(a) and 504 programs, representing $1.86 billion in approved financing at an average loan size of $676,000. The state sits at rank #8 of 38 for manufacturing SBA lending volume and holds 4.7% of the national manufacturing dollar pool. 7(a) accounts for 81.0% of the count, 504 for the rest, with 204 fresh approvals dated FY2024 or later.
| Disbursed loans (FY2010–FY2026) | 2,757 |
| Approved volume | $1.86 billion |
| Average loan size | $676,000 |
| 7(a) share | 81.0% |
| Approvals since FY2024 | 204 |
| State rank by loan count | #8 of 38 |
Among the 2,307 seasoned loans in this segment (approvals FY2010–FY2021), 4.6% reached adverse resolution — purchased, liquidated, or charged off. The national benchmark for manufacturing is 6.6%, against 7.3% across all industries. That performance runs below the national benchmark for this asset class, a credit-positive signal for lenders.
Source: SBA 7(a) and 504 FOIA loan-level data, as of March 31, 2026. Disbursed loans only. See data methodology.
A 4.6% adverse-resolution rate below the national manufacturing benchmark of 6.6% supports the credit story for well-underwritten Wisconsin projects in this class. Across 2,757 SBA loans averaging $676,000, that track record does not eliminate the need for a third-party feasibility study, but it means a rigorous study reinforces rather than defends the projections.
Every Wisconsin manufacturing project we underwrite follows the same lender ready process: independent market analysis, site and technical review, and financial projections tested against SBA SOP 50 10 8 standards. Our SBA feasibility study consultants guide explains scope, timing, deliverables, and what lenders and CDCs expect in the report.
Wisconsin projects often pencil under SBA 504 because the 50/40/10 structure delivers up to 90 percent financing on owner-occupied real estate at a fixed debenture rate, and SBA 7(a) covers acquisitions, working capital, and equipment. From July 4, 2026 eligible borrowers can combine 7(a) and 504 for up to $10 million in total program credit.
Manufacturing anchors the Wisconsin economy from industrial machinery to paper, and WBD's named book documents the 504 program financing it building by building.
For a national view of this asset class, see our manufacturing SBA feasibility overview, and read our related analysis in the manufacturing lending research on our blog.
Compare neighboring markets: West Virginia, Wyoming, Texas.
Public SBA and CDC program records, cited as program evidence
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Precision manufacturer and Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year, program evidence
Wisconsin
SBA 504 through WBD Inc.
Logistics and manufacturing campus, program evidence
Delavan, Walworth County
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