MEMORANDUM
To: Urban Chamber of Commerce Members & Small Business Community
From: Chris Shelton, President & CEO, Urban Chamber of Commerce
Subject: Important SBA Proposed Rule — Small Business Size Standards
Date: September 24, 2026
Dear Small Business Owners,
As part of the Urban Chamber of Commerce’s commitment to advocate, educate, and ensure that our small businesses have a seat at the table, I want to bring an important federal proposal to your attention that could affect access to government contracting and capital.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has proposed a significant overhaul of the standards used to determine which companies qualify as “small businesses.” The proposal could expand eligibility for federal small-business contracting and SBA lending programs to more and larger companies. The public comment period has been extended to November 20, 2026, giving small business owners additional time to make their voices heard.
Why This Matters
Among other changes, the proposal would replace revenue-based standards with employee-based standards in several industries, calculate some standards using broader NAICS industry categories, and substantially increase a number of revenue-based limits. The SBA estimates that approximately 114,541 firms that previously outgrew existing standards could regain eligibility to compete in the federal small-business marketplace. The SBA describes the proposal as a way to modernize size standards and allow growing firms to remain eligible longer.
At the same time, the information provided to the Chamber raises concerns about how expanding eligibility could affect smaller firms. Businesses newly eligible under higher thresholds may have greater staffing, capital, past performance, and proposal resources, potentially increasing competition for set-aside contracts and SBA-backed financing.
For the Urban Chamber, this is exactly why advocacy matters. Policies that define a “small business” can directly affect who gets access to contracts, capital, and opportunities.
Make Your Voice Heard
We encourage every business owner—particularly those involved in government contracting or SBA lending—to review the proposal and determine how it could affect your business and industry. Whether you support the changes, oppose them, or believe they should be modified, federal policymakers need to hear directly from the businesses that will experience their impact.
The SBA is accepting comments on the proposed rule under RIN 3245–AI67, and has stated that comments and testimony will be considered as it develops the final rule.
Review the SBA information on the proposed size standards
I also encourage Nevada small business owners to communicate their views to their congressional representatives. For businesses located in Nevada's 4th Congressional District, you can contact Steven Horsford Congressman Steven Horsford’s office and explain specifically how the proposed changes could affect your company, your employees, your access to federal contracts, or your ability to obtain capital. His North Las Vegas district office can be reached at (702) 963-9360.
Congressman Steven Horsford |Official Website
The Urban Chamber will continue to monitor issues affecting our small-business community, educate our members, and advocate to ensure that Nevada entrepreneurs are represented in conversations that affect their ability to compete and grow.
The deadline to submit comments is November 20, 2026. Please take the time to become informed and make your voice heard.
Sincerely,
Chris Shelton
President & CEO
