American Lending Center

08/31/2026

When a disaster impacts a community, the effects can reach far beyond the initial damage. For small business owners, it can mean disrupted operations, unexpected expenses, and uncertainty about what comes next.

In California, communities such as Boyle Heights have experienced the challenges that can follow a disaster, highlighting the importance of resources that help local businesses recover and rebuild.

If you or your business has been affected by a declared disaster, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers disaster assistance to help eligible businesses, homeowners, and renters recover. For small businesses experiencing economic injury, SBA disaster loans may provide working capital to help cover necessary operating expenses during the recovery period.

Our hearts are with the communities navigating the difficult road to recovery. If you have been affected, visit the SBA Disaster Recovery website to check your eligibility and learn more about available assistance and resources.

🔗 SBA Disaster Recovery: https://www.sba.gov/disaster/

Explore SBA’s low‑interest disaster loans designed to help businesses of all sizes, homeowners, renters, and private nonprofit organizations recover from declared disasters. Repair existing damage, reduce future risks, or get help with financial obligations when essential employees are called to...

08/26/2026

✨ Reflecting on two great days at the Open Atlas Summit 2026.

Entrepreneurship is about recognizing opportunities, navigating challenges, and turning ideas into businesses that create value. That spirit was at the heart of this year’s summit in Milpitas, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, professionals, and leaders to exchange ideas and share perspectives on building and growing businesses in America.

We were proud to have ALC CEO John Shen contribute to the conversation, drawing on decades of experience as an entrepreneur and business leader to share his perspective on building businesses and creating opportunity in the United States.

Supporting entrepreneurs and expanding access to opportunity are central to American Lending Center’s mission. We’re proud to support business owners as they build, grow, create jobs, and contribute to the communities they serve.

Thank you to the Open Atlas team and everyone who connected with us throughout the summit. We’re grateful to have been part of a conversation centered on entrepreneurship, business growth, and opportunity.

08/24/2026

Looking for financing to help bring your business goals to life?

For entrepreneurs and small business owners, finding the right lending partner can be an important part of turning an idea into an opportunity for growth. The SBA’s Lender Match tool helps connect businesses with potential lenders based on their financing needs and goals.

You can find American Lending Center on Lender Match. As an SBA 7(a) lender, ALC provides financing solutions for working capital, equipment, real estate, business acquisitions, expansion, and more.

Whether you’re starting a business, expanding your operations, or pursuing your next opportunity, Lender Match can help you explore potential financing options — including connecting with ALC.

Explore SBA Lender Match: https://www.sba.gov/loans/lender-match/

08/21/2026

Reliable data can provide valuable insight into how small businesses contribute to the economy and how the small business landscape continues to evolve.

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy provides access to key datasets covering areas such as employer and nonemployer businesses, business ownership, startups and exits, employment, payroll, and regional activity. Together, these resources offer a broader look at trends across different industries, business sizes, and geographic areas.

For small business stakeholders, understanding these trends can help provide context for the broader economic environment, regional business activity, and competitive landscapes. For policymakers and analysts, this data can support research, inform policy decisions, and help measure the impact of small businesses.

Explore the data to better understand the businesses, trends, and communities shaping the small business economy.

Click here to learn more: https://advocacy.sba.gov/small-business-data-resources/

08/19/2026

A strong business plan goes beyond outlining your business—it brings your strategy, market, operations, and financial goals together.

As you plan for growth, your business plan can help you evaluate your target market and competitive landscape, define your products or services, outline your management structure, and establish your marketing and sales strategy.

For businesses seeking financing, the funding request and financial projections are also important components. Clearly outlining how much funding is needed, how it will be used, and your projected financial outlook can help communicate your business’s plans to lenders and investors.

Whether you’re building a comprehensive traditional plan or a lean startup plan, the right structure can help you organize your priorities and plan for what comes next.

Click here to learn more: https://www.sba.gov/counseling/plan-your-business/ -research

08/17/2026

Strong businesses aren’t just built for today—they’re built to move forward through whatever comes next.

For business owners, preparing for the unexpected is an important part of building resilience and creating a strong foundation for the future. When challenges arise, having access to the right information, resources, and support can help entrepreneurs respond with confidence, recover, and continue moving forward.

The California Small Business Disaster Resource Guide brings together valuable resources to help businesses prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. From financial assistance to insurance, employee support, and local, state, and federal resources, the guide connects business owners with support when they need it most.

With the right resources and preparation, business owners can feel more confident navigating challenges and looking ahead to new opportunities.

Click here to explore the full guide: https://ociesmallbusiness.org/disaster-resource-guide/

08/14/2026

Building a strong business starts with establishing a strong financial foundation.

For entrepreneurs, understanding the fundamentals of business credit is an important part of preparing for future growth. As a business expands, its financial needs may evolve, making a strong credit history valuable when pursuing financing, building supplier relationships, and exploring new opportunities.

Maintaining good business credit involves more than simply making payments on a credit card. Establishing business credit, managing financial obligations responsibly, and regularly monitoring credit reports can contribute to a stronger financial position.

For founders planning for the future, understanding business credit early can help support informed financial decisions as their businesses grow.

Click here to read more: https://www.sba.gov/counseling/plan-your-business/ -credit

08/12/2026

At American Lending Center (ALC), we believe the right financing can help turn business goals into new opportunities.

Through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), ALC provides financing to help eligible small businesses move forward with plans to start, grow, and invest in their future.

From launching a business to expanding an existing one, ALC is here to help businesses access the capital they need to take the next step.

Ready to fund your growth?

🔹 Click here to apply:https://americanlendingcenter.expressbanking.net/2/ #/match
🔹 Click here to learn more:https://americanlendingcenter.com/state-small-business-credit-initiative-ssbci/

08/11/2026

LA28 is coming—and the opportunities are growing with it! 🎉🏅

With the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games approaching, small businesses across Los Angeles County can start preparing now to pursue new contracting, procurement, partnership, and other Games-related opportunities.

The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity’s Path to 2028 initiative offers free Business Readiness Workshops to help businesses:

• Understand how to pursue public-sector and Games-related contracts
• Identify opportunities that align with their services
• Navigate County procurement requirements and agency registrations
• Strengthen business qualifications and required documentation
• Prepare for bidding, proposal submissions, and Expressions of Interest
• Connect with technical assistance and small business resources

Businesses can also attend upcoming workshops and events to learn more, connect with resources, and get ready for the opportunities ahead.

📅 Free informational session: August 20, 2026

For LA County small businesses, there’s plenty to look forward to. Now is the time to get ready, get set, and get excited for LA28!

Learn more about Path to 2028 and upcoming events: https://opportunity.lacounty.gov/pathto2028

Los Angeles County is thrilled to welcome the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games—an event that brings the world together in the spirit of unity, excellence, and inclusion. The Games represent a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to showcase the vibrancy, diversity, and innovation of the LA Coun...

08/07/2026

Starting a business is never easy—but entrepreneurs continue to do it every day.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 150,000 High-Propensity Business Applications were filed in June 2026, representing ventures with a higher likelihood of becoming employer businesses.

It's a reminder that innovation doesn't happen only in large corporations. It starts with individuals willing to build something new, create jobs, and invest in their communities.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (BFS).