Central Missouri News

Ahead of a House Small Business Subcommittee hearing, Mark Alford, Chairman of the Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations Subcommittee, introduced the Returning SBA to Main Street Act. This legislation aims to decentralize the Small Business Administration (SBA) by relocating 30% of its Washington D.C. headquarters employees across the country. The goal is to bring these workers closer to the communities they serve. Senator Joni Ernst leads the Senate version of this bill.

Congressman Alford emphasized the need for change, stating: “The days of the federal government leaving rural small businesses on the sidelines are over.” He criticized empty SBA headquarters under the Biden Administration for hindering small business support. "By relocating these workers into the communities they serve," Alford continued, "we can provide our nation’s small businesses with the support they deserve and reduce wasteful spending on unused office space."

Senator Ernst echoed similar sentiments about improving customer service: “Every small business owner knows that if your customers can’t reach you, your doors won’t be open very long,” she said. She pointed out that for four years, bureaucrats were effectively absent from their offices. Moving them closer to Main Street would improve service delivery.

House Small Business Committee Chairman Roger Williams also supported this move: “After four years of vacant buildings under the Biden Administration, it is important the SBA returns to working for Main Street America.” He highlighted that small business owners in rural areas face unique challenges and need accessible SBA services.

A Government Accountability Office study from 2023 showed that SBA headquarters operated at only 10% capacity during a previous administration. The Returning SBA to Main Street Act aligns with efforts by Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to save taxpayer money on unused office spaces while making interactions more efficient.