Small Business Loans in Mississippi
244,783 small businesses. 487 SBA 7(a) loans approved in FY2024. Here's what the Mississippi financing landscape looks like — and how to navigate it.
Small businesses
244,783
SBA Office of Advocacy, 2024 Profile
SBA 7(a) loans — FY2024
487
$193.8M total approved
Avg SBA loan size
$398K
FY2024 · SBA FOIA dataset
Population
2,939,690
U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 estimate
Mississippi has 245,000 small businesses employing 452,000 workers — 41.1 percent of the state's private workforce. In FY2024, Mississippi small businesses received 487 SBA 7(a) loans totaling $194 million, with an average loan size of approximately $398,000. Mississippi's SMB economy is anchored by agriculture (soybeans, cotton, catfish farming), manufacturing (automotive, aerospace, shipbuilding), and a significant healthcare sector relative to the state's population.
Mississippi's Gulf Coast economy has a distinct character: Gulfport and Biloxi host a significant gaming and tourism industry alongside military installations (Keesler Air Force Base) and a major shipbuilding sector (Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula is one of the nation's largest naval shipyards). The Mississippi River Delta region has agricultural SMBs operating in cotton, soybeans, and catfish farming — the latter a uniquely Mississippi concentration.
Mississippi has no statewide commercial financing disclosure law. The state's SMB financing market is underserved relative to larger states — SBA 7(a) and equipment financing are the most common products for Mississippi SMBs seeking capital beyond traditional bank relationships. Data sourced from the SBA Office of Advocacy (advocacy.sba.gov), SBA FOIA loan dataset (data.sba.gov), U.S. Census Bureau (census.gov), and the Federal Reserve Small Business Credit Survey (fedsmallbusiness.org).
Top SMB industries in Mississippi
#1
Agriculture & Aquaculture
Mississippi is the nation's leading catfish producer and a major cotton and soybean state. Farm operators access equipment financing for agricultural machinery and seasonal working capital. Catfish producers access SBA 7(a) for pond and processing facility expansion.
#2
Manufacturing & Shipbuilding
Ingalls Shipbuilding and Mississippi's automotive assembly plants (Nissan in Canton) create Tier-2 and Tier-3 supplier SMBs. Equipment financing and SBA 7(a) serve manufacturers in this sector.
#3
Health Care & Social Assistance
Mississippi's healthcare SMB sector is significant relative to the state's population — primary care, behavioral health, dental, and home health across urban and rural markets. SBA 7(a) and equipment financing are the primary tools.
#4
Accommodation & Gaming
Mississippi's Gulf Coast gaming industry (Biloxi, Gulfport) and river casino sector support hospitality and service SMBs with seasonal revenue patterns. Revenue-based financing and working capital lines suit these businesses.
#5
Construction
Mississippi's construction sector serves urban development in Jackson and the Gulf Coast and rural infrastructure replacement statewide. Equipment financing and SBA 7(a) are standard tools.
Mississippi commercial financing disclosure
StatuteMississippi — no statewide CFDL enacted as of 2026-05-20
What this means for borrowersMississippi does not currently have a statewide commercial financing disclosure law. Commercial lending in Mississippi is governed primarily by federal law and lender-specific agreements.
CVL operating note: ClearValue Lending routes Mississippi SMB applicants to lender partners operating across all Mississippi markets.
SBA 7(a) lending in Mississippi — FY2024
Computed from SBA FOIA loan-level dataset (data.sba.gov). Aggregate of all FY2024 approved 7(a) loans with project state = MS.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total 7(a) loans approved — FY2024 | 487 |
| Total dollar volume — FY2024 | $193.8M |
| Average loan size — FY2024 | $398K |
Source: SBA FOIA 7(a) loan dataset — data.sba.gov, as of March 31, 2026. Reflects FY2024, the most recent full fiscal year aggregated here. SBA 7(a) is one program; lenders also deploy conventional, SBA 504, USDA B&I, and private-market products.
National SBA program context (FY2025)
Nationwide, the SBA guaranteed $44.8 billion across roughly 84,400 loans in FY2025 (Oct 2024–Sept 2025), one of the program's highest-volume years. Effective May 2026, the SBA also doubled the cumulative 7(a)/504 loan limit to $10 million per borrower — expanding access for established businesses seeking repeat or larger-scale financing.
Sources: SBA FY2025 press release · SBA May 2026 loan-limit rule.
Mississippi small business financing — common questions
How many small businesses are in Mississippi? +
Mississippi has approximately 245,000 small businesses, representing 99.3 percent of all businesses in the state. They employ 452,000 workers — 41.1 percent of Mississippi's private workforce. Source: SBA Office of Advocacy, 2024 Small Business Profile.
How active is SBA 7(a) lending in Mississippi? +
Mississippi received 487 SBA 7(a) loan approvals in FY2024, totaling $194 million. The average loan size was approximately $398,000. Source: SBA FOIA loan dataset, FY2024 aggregate.
Does Mississippi have a commercial financing disclosure law? +
No. Mississippi has not enacted a statewide commercial financing disclosure law as of 2026.
What financing products work best for Mississippi small businesses? +
Agricultural and aquaculture businesses use equipment financing and working capital. Manufacturers use equipment financing and SBA 7(a). Healthcare practices access SBA 7(a). The right product depends on your industry and revenue profile.
Is ClearValue Lending available in Mississippi? +
Yes. ClearValue Lending routes Mississippi SMB applicants to lender partners operating across Jackson, Gulfport, Biloxi, Hattiesburg, and statewide. We are a funding platform, not a lender or broker.
What are typical eligibility minimums for Mississippi SMB financing? +
SBA 7(a) typically requires 2+ years in business, 650+ FICO, and $150,000+ annual revenue. Revenue-based financing may be available with 500+ FICO, 6+ months in business, and $10,000+ monthly revenue. All financing is subject to lender underwriting.
Sources & methodology
- SBA Office of Advocacy — 2024 Small Business Profile: Mississippi — SMB count, top industries, employment data. Underlying: Census 2021 data.
- SBA FOIA 7(a) Loan Dataset — FY2024 Mississippi Aggregate — FY2024 approval count and dollar volume, projectstate=MS, approvalfy=2024.
- U.S. Census Bureau — State Population Estimates (2025) — Mississippi population: 2,939,690 (July 1, 2025 estimate).
- Federal Reserve Small Business Credit Survey — 2026 Report on Employer Firms (2025 survey data) — Small business credit conditions, lender relationships, and financing outcomes. Federal Reserve System.
Editorial disclaimer: Data on this page reflects the sources cited above as of May 22, 2026. SBA 7(a) loan counts and dollar volumes are computed from the public SBA FOIA dataset. Small business counts use Census 2021 data as published by SBA Office of Advocacy in November 2024. Population figures are July 1, 2025 Census Bureau estimates. All financing is subject to lender partner approval. Not legal, tax, or financial advice.
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