Arlington is a city located in the U.S. state of Texas, within the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metropolitan area. The city is home to the University of Texas at Arlington, a major research university, as well as the Arlington Assembly plant, which is one of the largest General Motors manufacturing facilities in the United States.
As of 2019, the estimated population of Arlington was 395,229. The city is home to a number of large businesses and corporations, including American Airlines, AT&T, General Motors, and the Texas Rangers baseball team. Arlington's economy is also supported by a number of small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Small businesses are a vital part of Arlington's economy, accounting for a significant number of jobs in the city. In 2019, there were an estimated 27,935 small businesses in Arlington, employing a total of 109,085 people.
The most popular sectors for small businesses in Arlington include professional, scientific, and technical services; retail trade; and health care and social assistance. Other popular sectors include manufacturing; construction; and accommodation and food services.
Arlington is a great place to start and grow a small business. The city's diverse economy and strong business community provide a solid foundation for success. And with a population of nearly 400,000, there is a large potential customer base for businesses of all types.
Comparing SBA loan types in Arlington
Three SBA programs come up most often for Arlington, Texas businesses, and they do different jobs.
SBA 7(a) loan: program overview
Maximum loan
$5 million (sba.gov, fetched 2026-07-24)
What it funds
Working capital, equipment, owner-occupied commercial real estate, refinancing business debt, and business acquisition.
Who lends
Participating banks and non-bank lenders. The SBA guarantees a portion of the loan; it does not lend directly to borrowers.
Rate structure
Negotiated between lender and borrower, capped at the SBA maximum. Most 7(a) loans price off the WSJ prime rate plus a spread.
Personal guaranty
Required from every owner of 20% or more of the business (13 CFR 120.160(a)).
Program facts confirmed against sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/7a-loans on Jul 24, 2026. Confirm current fees and maximum rates with your lender before relying on them.
SBA 504 loan: program overview
Maximum loan
$5.5 million per the SBA-backed debenture (sba.gov, fetched 2026-07-24). Total project size can be larger because a bank funds the first mortgage alongside it.
What it funds
Major fixed assets: owner-occupied commercial real estate and long-life machinery and equipment. Not working capital or inventory.
Structure
A conventional first-mortgage lender, a Certified Development Company holding the SBA-backed second, and a borrower down payment.
Rate
The CDC portion is fixed for the full term and set at the monthly debenture sale.
Program facts confirmed against sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/504-loans on Jul 24, 2026.
SBA Express: program overview
What it is
A delivery method inside the 7(a) program. The lender uses its own forms and procedures and gets an accelerated SBA response, in exchange for a lower SBA guarantee percentage than Standard 7(a).
What it funds
The same uses as 7(a), including revolving lines of credit, which Standard 7(a) term loans do not offer.
Trade-off
Faster turnaround and lighter paperwork, against a smaller guaranteed portion, which some lenders price for.
Current SBA Express maximum loan size and guarantee percentage are set by SBA notice and change. Confirm them on sba.gov or with your lender; this site does not publish an unverified figure.
Small business loans available in Arlington
An SBA 7(a) loan made to an Arlington, Texas business is made by a participating lender, not by the SBA.
The lender underwrites it, sets the rate within the SBA maximum, and services it. What varies locally is
which lenders are active, not the program rules.