According to CPA Practice Advisor, Kelly Loeffler, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, has emphasized continued federal support for small businesses during a recent visit to Fort Worth, even as owners face pressure from tariffs and rising fuel costs.
During her visit to Chieffalo Americana, a western apparel boutique, Loeffler met with local business owners and discussed the role of SBA-backed loan programs in supporting entrepreneurs. She highlighted that the agency reached a record $45 billion in lending last year, underscoring its ongoing commitment to improving access to capital.
Loeffler maintained that recent staffing reductions at the SBA have not disrupted loan processing and framed them as part of a rollback of pandemic-era expansion. She also pointed to broader economic policies, including tax cuts and deregulation efforts, as drivers of future small business growth.
However, critics pushed back on that outlook. Richard Trent, executive director of the Main Street Alliance, argued that SBA staffing cuts have made it more difficult for business owners to access loans. He also cited tariffs and rising fuel costs as ongoing challenges, creating uncertainty around operating expenses and supply chains.
Loeffler acknowledged these pressures but described them as short-term disruptions, expressing confidence that current policies would lead to lower energy costs and stronger long-term economic conditions.
The visit highlighted a broader divide between federal leadership and small business advocates, with differing views on how current economic policies are impacting entrepreneurs across the country.