NWBDA

10/13/2026

SBA 504 October rates are here!

What’s new? The SBA is expanding fee relief for eligible businesses in FY2027. In addition to manufacturers, qualifying rural businesses and food supply chain businesses may now benefit from waived upfront guaranty fees and annual service fees on SBA 504 loans approved October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027. That means potential savings and an even better opportunity to invest in your business’s future.

Whether you’re purchasing commercial real estate, expanding your facility, investing in equipment, or planning your next big move, now is a great time to run the numbers and see if SBA 504 financing is the right fit.

Try our SBA 504 Calculator: https://lnkd.in/eeRb4982

10/13/2026

We’re proud to support the Spokane Workforce Council and its Early Learning program!

When families can't find or afford childcare, parents step back from work and employers lose the talent they need. Access to affordable early learning is a key driver of the health of our regional labor market.

That's why Spokane Workforce Council took a closer look at early learning in our region. Our new research explores the needs of providers across our region and offers recommendations for sustainability. It also maps out early learning career pathways and the entry points to a meaningful career that supports families and our economy.

We've also launched a new early learning page with the findings, data, and a look at our work in this space over the past three years.

Explore the research: spokaneworkforce.org/early-learning

This work was made possible with Community Development Block Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the City of Spokane - Municipal Government. We're also grateful to the Northwest Business Development Association (NWBDA) for their consistent support of our early learning work. For a full list of our supporters and partners, visit the page above.

09/18/2026

SBA 504 FY2027 Fees & Environmental Requirements:

SBA has released a notice regarding the 504 Program Fees for Fiscal Year 2027 (October 1, 2026–September 30, 2027):

Regular 504: 0.50% upfront guaranty fee + 0.203% annual service fee

504 Debt Refinance Without Expansion: 0.50% upfront guaranty fee + 0.204% annual service fee

The upfront fee remains unchanged from FY2026, while annual service fees have decreased.

⭐ Fee Waivers: SBA is waiving both fees for certain qualifying businesses, including manufacturers, eligible food-supply-chain businesses, and businesses located in rural areas (this includes 504 debt-refinance with and without expansion projects).

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When do you need an Environmental Report?

An environmental review may be required when purchasing or refinancing commercial real estate with an SBA 504 loan. Requirements depend on the property’s current and historical use and other potential environmental risks.

Start the environmental review early. Identifying potential issues before closing can help avoid surprises, additional costs, and delays.

Learn more about the FY2027 fees and when to have an environmental report: https://www.nwbusiness.org/fy2027-fees/

Learn about environmental report requirements and the due diligence process and the latest SBA 504 FY2027 fee updates.

09/14/2026

The SBA 504 September rates have been released!

And there’s good news for small business owners: rates are remaining below 7%!

Plus, with the new annual fee reductions just announced by the SBA, now could be a great time to explore whether the SBA 504 program is right for your next big investment.

Thinking about:
🏢 Buying a building
📈 Expanding your business
⚙️ Investing in equipment

💡 Run the numbers with our SBA 504 Calculator: https://lnkd.in/eeRb4982

09/03/2026

In observance of Labor Day, NWBDA will close at 1:00 PM on Friday, September 4, and will remain closed on Monday, September 7.

Regular business hours will resume on Tuesday, September 8.

Wishing everyone a safe and meaningful Labor Day as we honor the social and economic achievements of American workers.

08/28/2026

The grant proposal deadline is just one week away. Don’t miss the opportunity; submit your proposal today!

Grant Opportunity for Organizations Serving Washington, Oregon & Idaho!

Northwest Business Development Association is accepting grant proposals from organizations working to strengthen local communities and support small business growth.

Grant awards range from $10,000 to $50,000 for programs including:
✔️ Micro-lending
✔️ Workforce development
✔️ Entrepreneur training
✔️ Scholarships
✔️ Community support initiatives
✔️ Business development

We're looking to partner with nonprofits, economic development organizations, workforce agencies, technical assistance providers, and other community organizations making a difference.

📅 Applications are due September 4, 2026, by 4:30 PM.

Know an organization that should apply? Please share this opportunity!

Learn more and submit your proposal here: https://www.nwbusiness.org/economic-development-investment/

08/17/2026

A look back at a Portland small business success story.

Christian Navarra and Dan Hart knew that securing the future of their growing restaurant business meant more than simply running great restaurants; it meant investing in the real estate that supported them.

In 2018, with help from NWBDA, Beneficial State Bank, and the SBA 504 Program, the partners purchased the Prost! building in Portland’s historic Mississippi District along with two adjacent properties.

The additional space helped Prost! expand its Biergarten seating, host larger community events like Oktoberfest, and create office and storage space to support its growing operations.

Most importantly, SBA 504 financing provided the stability and long-term structure needed to invest in the business while preserving working capital.

This story may come from our archives, but the lesson still rings true: the right financing can help small businesses put down roots, grow, and make a lasting impact in their communities.

Read more: https://www.nwbusiness.org/prost-portland/

08/12/2026

🚨 ATTENTION SPOKANE SMALL BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY THE WILDFIRES 🚨

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is preparing businesses for potential recovery resources that may become available following an individual assistance disaster declaration for the Spokane wildfires.

Join the preliminary SBA Disaster Loan information session:

📅 Wednesday, August 12
🕑 2:00 p.m.

Learn about the SBA Disaster Loan Program, what to expect, and how your business can prepare for the recovery process.

⚠️ Important: SBA Disaster Loans are NOT YET AVAILABLE for this disaster. This webinar is intended to provide preliminary education so businesses can prepare if disaster assistance becomes available.

Register for the SBA Webinar: 1eeafd01-16d1-4775-b4fb-11fe0ebbd539@3c89fd8a-7f68-4667-aa15-41ebf2208961" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/1eeafd01-16d1-4775-b4fb-11fe0ebbd539@3c89fd8a-7f68-4667-aa15-41ebf2208961

Please share this post with local business owners who may benefit from this information.

08/10/2026

SBA 504 rates rose a little this month, but there’s still plenty of value in the program for small businesses.

From purchasing commercial real estate to financing equipment or expanding your operations, SBA 504 offers long-term fixed-rate financing and lower down payment requirements that can help make big investments more manageable.

Even with rates ticking up, the benefits of SBA 504 can still make it a strong option worth exploring.

Thinking about your next business investment? See what your potential monthly payment could look like with our SBA 504 calculator: https://lnkd.in/eeRb4982

08/06/2026

Grant Opportunity for Organizations Serving Washington, Oregon & Idaho!

Northwest Business Development Association is accepting grant proposals from organizations working to strengthen local communities and support small business growth.

Grant awards range from $10,000 to $50,000 for programs including:
✔️ Micro-lending
✔️ Workforce development
✔️ Entrepreneur training
✔️ Scholarships
✔️ Community support initiatives
✔️ Business development

We're looking to partner with nonprofits, economic development organizations, workforce agencies, technical assistance providers, and other community organizations making a difference.

📅 Applications are due September 4, 2026, by 4:30 PM.

Know an organization that should apply? Please share this opportunity!

Learn more and submit your proposal here: https://www.nwbusiness.org/economic-development-investment/