How many small businesses are in Ohio?

Ohio has approximately 966,000 small businesses, representing 99.6 percent of all businesses in the state. They employ 2.2 million workers — 45.1 percent of Ohio's private workforce. Source: SBA Office of Advocacy, 2024 Small Business Profile.

How active is SBA 7(a) lending in Ohio?

Ohio received 1,876 SBA 7(a) loan approvals in FY2024, totaling $812 million. The average loan size was approximately $433,000. Source: SBA FOIA loan dataset, FY2024 aggregate.

Does Ohio have a commercial financing disclosure law?

No. Ohio has not enacted a statewide commercial financing disclosure law as of 2026. Commercial lending is governed primarily by federal law and lender agreements.

What financing products work best for Ohio small businesses?

Manufacturing businesses use equipment financing and SBA 7(a). Healthcare practices access SBA 7(a) for expansion. Logistics businesses use equipment financing and working capital. The right product depends on your industry, revenue, and use of funds.

Is ClearValue Lending available in Ohio?

Yes. ClearValue Lending routes Ohio SMB applicants to lender partners operating across Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo, and statewide. We are a funding platform, not a lender or broker.

What are typical eligibility minimums for Ohio 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 on the full file.

Small Business Loans in Ohio

Ohio has 966,000 small businesses employing 2.2 million workers — 45.1 percent of the state's private workforce. In FY2024, Ohio small businesses received 1,876 SBA 7(a) loans totaling $812 million, with an average loan size of approximately $433,000. Ohio's SMB economy spans a diversity of Midwestern industries: manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, professional services, and agriculture — concentrated in five major metro markets (Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo) and a large rural SMB base.