Any Recommendations for SBA Lenders?

I’m curious whether anyone here has successfully used an SBA loan, grant, or other government-backed funding program for a very small business.

I run a one-person metal art and fabrication business, and finding realistic financing has been difficult. A lot of the options marketed toward small businesses seem to come with high interest rates, aggressive repayment terms, or daily and weekly withdrawals that can make an existing cash-flow problem even worse.

I’d be interested in hearing from anyone who has actually gone through the SBA process:

Which loan or grant program did you use?
Was the application process manageable?
What documentation did they require?
Did the funding genuinely help your business grow?
Were there any fees, repayment terms, or surprises you wish you had known about beforehand?

I’m especially interested in options that might work for a one-person business looking to purchase equipment, improve production capacity, or create more stable cash flow without getting trapped in predatory financing.

Has anyone found an SBA lender, grant program, or small-business resource they would genuinely recommend?

Thanks in advance, I am located in Northeast Pennsylvania.