ICYMI: Ranking Member Markey, Sen. Warren, Reps. Neal and McGovern Renew Demands for Small Business Support in Western Massachusetts

Lawmakers want answers from Trump administration on plans to relocate Springfield SBA office

Letter Text (PDF)

(Washington, September 29) - Ranking Member Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) last week led his colleagues Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representatives Richard Neal (MA-01) and Jim McGovern (MA-02) in writing to Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Kelly Loeffler to demand an explanation of the SBA's continued neglect of western Massachusetts through the closure of the Springfield, Massachusetts SBA district office.

This follows a previous letter from the lawmakers that condemned the agency's decision to close the office and requested an explanation of the agency's plans to ensure that western Massachusetts business would maintain access to critical SBA resources. The SBA failed to provide sufficient answers to the lawmakers' previous letter, and the agency has not relocated or reopened the district office, leaving small businesses in western Massachusetts with limited access to assistance.

In the letter, the lawmakers write, "Throughout the summer, our staff engaged with SBA officials to determine the timeline and details for a western Massachusetts district office reopening. On July 17, 2025, your staff stated that, "SBA is evaluating whether the new location will be accessible for small business owners and whether it will be cost efficient for taxpayers," implying that potential new office spaces had been identified. However, when pressed for basic details on the status of the new location, your staff failed to respond."

The lawmakers continue, "The senseless political games President Trump and his Administration are playing by picking and choosing which small businesses have access to SBA's resources must come to an end. Small businesses are the heart of our economy and deserve your full attention and resources that meet them where they are."

The lawmakers request a briefing from SBA by October 10, 2025, to answer questions including:

1. What is the selection process for a new western Massachusetts SBA district office? Please provide a detailed timeline and description of the process.
2. In the absence of a district office, how has SBA ensured that small business owners in western Massachusetts, including rural and underserved areas, retain access to the in-person services previously provided by the Springfield office?
3. In recent weeks, SBA sought to hire positions in multiple field office locations, including Boston. Did SBA receive any exemptions from the Presidential Memoranda dated July 7, 2025, that stated: "no Federal civilian position that is presently vacant may be filled, and no new position may be created"? If so, what are the exemptions?
4. Please provide answers to the questions included in our May 28, 2025, letter:

1. Who specifically authorized or approved the decision to terminate the lease for the SBA district office located at 1 Federal Street, Springfield, Massachusetts?
2. Did DOGE, SBA, or another federal agency or office initiate this decision? Did SBA object to or oppose the lease termination at any point? If so, please provide any documentation or summary of its position.
3. What formal justification, if any, did DOGE or SBA provide for the closure of the Springfield office?
4. What was the total annual cost associated with operating the Springfield SBA office, including lease payments, personnel, and overhead?
5. Was there any public notice, stakeholder consultation, or opportunity for comment provided prior to the decision to close the Springfield office? If so, when and in what form did the notice or consultation occur? What feedback, if any, did local businesses, elected officials, or community leaders provide?
6. How does this decision align with SBA's mission to support small businesses, particularly those in rural, underserved, or economically disadvantaged regions?

In May, Ranking Member Markey, Senator Warren, and Representatives Neal and McGovern wrote to Administrator Loeffler to slam the closure of the Springfield, Massachusetts SBA district office. In March, Senators Markey and Warren sent a letter to General Services Administration (GSA) Acting Administrator Stephen Ehikian, asking what factors went into GSA's decision to cancel or not renew 17 leases in Massachusetts, including the Springfield District Office.