New SBA Chief Outlines Day One Priorities

There’s a new face over at the Small Business Administration (SBA), as Kelly Loeffler steps into the role of 28^thadministrator to the organization. Loeffler recently outlined the SBA’s top priorities over the next four years, which stand to help create a “golden era of prosperity and growth” under the Trump administration. Let’s take a look inside her  ‘Day One’ memo and see what’s in store for small businesses across the country.

Boosting U.S. Manufacturing

The overwhelming majority of manufacturing companies in the U.S. are small businesses. As Loeffler states in her memo, “This agency is committed to supporting the America First agenda by rebuilding American supply chains and investing in manufacturing to strengthen our economy and national security.” The current Office of International Tradewill be rebranded as the Office of Manufacturing and Trade, and focus on economic independence, creating jobs, and fair trade. The SBA also plans to work across agencies to grow our manufacturing and tech startups.

Spending and DEI Efforts

On par with President Trump’s concerns over DEI initiatives in the federal government, Loeffler plans to stay close by enforcing those executive orders, such as “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing,” and “Unleashing American Energy.” She also applauds Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and will work closely with this organization to “ensure American taxpayer dollars are utilized in the most productive way possible to benefit small businesses and economic growth and resilience,” per the memo. The elimination of wasteful spending and fraud will be a zero-tolerance policy that stands to investigate all government programs, implement a “Fraud Czar,” and conduct an agency-wide audit.

Ending Voter-Registration Activities

Taxpay-funded voter registration is also on the chopping block, starting by eliminating the SBA’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) “with the Michigan Department of State to promote civic engagement and voter registration in Michigan.” When it was launched, the SBA touted this agreement: “Through this memorandum of understanding, the SBA will help connect Michiganders to vital voter registration information from the State of Michigan so that more small business owners can exercise their right to vote. Small businesses are busy working on and in their businesses, and by meeting them where they are – on our website and at our small business outreach events – we can help facilitate voter registration and civic engagement so their voices are heard.”  According to Loeffler’s memo, rescinding this agreement will allow the SBA to “return its focus to its founding mission of empowering job creators, delivering disaster relief, and driving economic growth.”

As we settle in with a new administration, we’ll continue to keep an eye on the latest news coming from the SBA. Check in with ARF Financial’s Financial Pantry to stay updated on new rulings, regulations, and updates surrounding all things small business!