Small Business Loans in Wisconsin
516,042 small businesses. 1,287 SBA 7(a) loans approved in FY2024. Here's what the Wisconsin financing landscape looks like — and how to navigate it.
Small businesses
516,042
SBA Office of Advocacy, 2024 Profile
SBA 7(a) loans — FY2024
1,287
$536.9M total approved
Avg SBA loan size
$417K
FY2024 · SBA FOIA dataset
Population
5,910,955
U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 estimate
Wisconsin has 516,000 small businesses employing 1.2 million workers — 47.9 percent of the state's private workforce, one of the higher SMB employment shares in the Midwest. In FY2024, Wisconsin small businesses received 1,287 SBA 7(a) loans totaling $537 million, with an average loan size of approximately $417,000. Wisconsin's SMB economy is anchored by manufacturing (particularly food processing, printing, and industrial equipment), healthcare, and a diverse professional services sector concentrated in Milwaukee and Madison.
Wisconsin's manufacturing heritage is reflected in its SMB profile: food processing (dairy, meat, specialty foods), papermaking, and specialty industrial equipment manufacturers are among the state's most distinctive SMB sectors. Madison's university ecosystem (University of Wisconsin) drives a life sciences and technology SMB formation rate that is high relative to the state's overall size. Wisconsin's agricultural sector — one of the top dairy producing states in the country — has distinct equipment financing and seasonal working capital needs.
Wisconsin does not have a statewide commercial financing disclosure law. The state's deep community banking tradition means many Wisconsin SMBs have traditional bank relationships, but SBA 7(a) and equipment financing are essential tools for manufacturers and agricultural businesses with high capital equipment needs. 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 Wisconsin
#1
Manufacturing
Wisconsin's manufacturing SMB sector — dairy processing, specialty foods, printing, and industrial equipment — is among the Midwest's most concentrated. Equipment financing for production machinery and SBA 7(a) for facility expansion are primary financing tools.
#2
Health Care & Social Assistance
Wisconsin's healthcare SMB sector spans primary care, behavioral health, dental, and home health — concentrated in Milwaukee and Madison. SBA 7(a) supports practice acquisitions; equipment financing covers diagnostic technology.
#3
Agriculture & Dairy
Wisconsin is one of the nation's top dairy states. Dairy farm operators, cheese processors, and agricultural equipment dealers access equipment financing, seasonal working capital, and SBA agricultural loans for operations and expansion.
#4
Construction
Wisconsin's construction sector serves urban development in Milwaukee and Madison and rural infrastructure replacement statewide. Equipment financing and SBA 7(a) are standard tools; harsh winters create distinct cash flow seasonality.
#5
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
Madison's university ecosystem and Milwaukee's corporate base drive a professional services SMB sector. Life sciences consulting, IT services, and engineering firms use working capital lines to manage billing cycles.
Wisconsin commercial financing disclosure
StatuteWisconsin — no statewide CFDL enacted as of 2026-05-20
What this means for borrowersWisconsin does not currently have a statewide commercial financing disclosure law. Commercial lending in Wisconsin is governed primarily by federal law and lender-specific agreements. ClearValue Lending monitors Wisconsin legislative developments.
CVL operating note: ClearValue Lending routes Wisconsin SMB applicants to lender partners operating across all Wisconsin markets. Wisconsin has no statewide commercial financing disclosure law; lender partners comply with applicable federal requirements.
SBA 7(a) lending in Wisconsin — FY2024
Computed from SBA FOIA loan-level dataset (data.sba.gov). Aggregate of all FY2024 approved 7(a) loans with project state = WI.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total 7(a) loans approved — FY2024 | 1,287 |
| Total dollar volume — FY2024 | $536.9M |
| Average loan size — FY2024 | $417K |
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.
Wisconsin small business financing — common questions
How many small businesses are in Wisconsin? +
Wisconsin has approximately 516,000 small businesses, representing 99.5 percent of all businesses in the state. They employ 1.2 million workers — 47.9 percent of Wisconsin's private workforce. Source: SBA Office of Advocacy, 2024 Small Business Profile.
How active is SBA 7(a) lending in Wisconsin? +
Wisconsin received 1,287 SBA 7(a) loan approvals in FY2024, totaling $537 million. The average loan size was approximately $417,000. Source: SBA FOIA loan dataset, FY2024 aggregate.
Does Wisconsin have a commercial financing disclosure law? +
No. Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin small businesses? +
Manufacturers and dairy operations use equipment financing and SBA 7(a). Healthcare practices access SBA 7(a) for expansion. Professional services firms use working capital lines. The right product depends on your industry, revenue, and use of funds.
Is ClearValue Lending available in Wisconsin? +
Yes. ClearValue Lending routes Wisconsin SMB applicants to lender partners operating across Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Appleton, and statewide. We are a funding platform, not a lender or broker.
What are typical eligibility minimums for Wisconsin 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.
Sources & methodology
- SBA Office of Advocacy — 2024 Small Business Profile: Wisconsin — SMB count, top industries, employment data. Underlying: Census 2021 data.
- SBA FOIA 7(a) Loan Dataset — FY2024 Wisconsin Aggregate — FY2024 approval count and dollar volume, projectstate=WI, approvalfy=2024.
- U.S. Census Bureau — State Population Estimates (2025) — Wisconsin population: 5,910,955 (July 1, 2025 estimate).
- Federal Reserve Small Business Credit Survey — 2026 Report on Employer Firms (2025 survey data) — National and state-level small business credit conditions, financing gaps, and lender utilization.
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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