What The 2026 State Of The Union Signals For Small Business
Forbes Business
by Natalie Madeira Cofield , ContributorFebruary 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The 2026 State of the Union address focused on national economic growth and global competitiveness but notably omitted small businesses, despite their critical role in the U.S. economy. Representing 99% of U.S. firms and employing nearly half of the private workforce, small businesses remain a cornerstone of the economy yet received little direct attention in the speech. This omission comes at a time when small businesses face significant structural changes and economic pressures, including shifts in federal policies affecting access to capital and federal programs.
Recent policy adjustments by the Small Business Administration (SBA) have altered lending requirements, recalibrated participation in the 8(a) Business Development Program, and adjusted eligibility thresholds for manufacturers. These changes redefine how small businesses can access federally backed support systems. Additionally, the delayed appropriations process has compressed implementation timelines for 2026 programs, leaving agencies and entrepreneurs with limited time to plan and execute priorities.
Small business sentiment reflects both concern and resilience. While 41% of owners cite inflation as their top challenge, many are proactive in adapting to market conditions. Over 74% plan to increase marketing efforts, and nearly 68% intend to boost their marketing budgets. Moreover, more than half
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Originally published on Forbes Business on 2/25/2026