Get ready for the Small Business Administration to announce the availability of $35,000 bridge loans for distressed small businesses. John Miller, director of marketing for the SBA’s New York District Office, told a group of small businesses owners at a recent SCORE/OPEN event in New York City that the SBA would probably make them available within 2 weeks. One bank source and a representative from a national trade group representing SBA lenders said the announcement would likely come during National Small Business Week, which starts May 17 in Washington.

“Who’s making loans these days? Well, not too many people,” Miller said, adding the bridge loans will come with a 100% government guarantee. Maybe that will prod bankers to start lending to entrepreneurs.