SBA defines a small business as one that is independently owned, operated, and not dominant in its field.  A small business must also meet the employment or sales standards developed by the SBA, which are based on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).  In general, the following criteria are used by the SBA to determine if a concern qualifies as a small business and is eligible for SBA loan assistance:

• Wholesale - not more than 100 employees
• Retail or Service - Average (3 year) annual sales or receipts of not more than $6 million to $29 million, depending on business type
• Manufacturing - Generally not more than 500 employees, but in some cases up to 1,500 employees
• Construction - Average (3 year) annual sales or receipts of not more than $12 million to $28.5 million, depending on the specific business type

Learn More Specific About Size Standards and Eligibility