Massachusetts Lawmakers Urge SBA to Keep Springfield Office Open
A group of Massachusetts lawmakers is calling on the head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Kelly Loeffler, to keep the agency’s Springfield satellite office open after it was slated for closure by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk. The office, located at 1 Federal St., provides essential services to small businesses in the Pioneer Valley and beyond.
In a letter to Loeffler, Democratic U.S. Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, along with Representatives Richard Neal and James P. McGovern, criticized the decision, stating that it would severely limit access to vital SBA resources for small business owners in Western Massachusetts. They characterized the closure as part of a broader trend by the Trump administration that undermines small businesses and weakens American entrepreneurship.
The Springfield office, which has a lease costing less than $61,000 a year set to run until June 2028, is now left without staff, causing concerns about the availability of support for local entrepreneurs. Currently, the nearest SBA office is in Boston, requiring lengthy travel for local business owners seeking assistance.
Markey highlighted the disproportionate impact of cuts on underserved communities, noting that resources are especially critical for businesses run by women, immigrants, and people of color. He decried the "callous" treatment of the SBA and requested answers from Loeffler about the rationale behind the closure decision.
The lawmakers have given the SBA until Friday to respond to their inquiries and emphasized that the Springfield office is crucial for ensuring equitable access to business support in the region. They warned that shuttering the office could hinder job creation and damage the local economy.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
