Press Releases

Today, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04), the Chairman of the House Small Business Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations, sent a letter to the head of the Small Business Administration, Kelly Loeffler. The letter requests Administrator Loeffler to relocate the SBA’s Kansas City regional office to Columbia, Missouri following her announcement that the agency is moving regional offices out of sanctuary cities.

While Kansas City’s policies are merely sanctuary city-adjacent, Columbia offers a far superior alternative thanks to its closer proximity to the University of Missouri, Missouri’s Small Business Development Center, and the rural communities that reflect the heart of America.

Read the full letter to Administrator Loeffler here.

Read key excerpts from the letter below:

“… I am writing to express my strong support for your commitment to relocating SBA Regional Offices out of sanctuary cities and into the heart of America. I urge you to strongly consider Columbia, Missouri, as a potential location. Columbia is home to the University of Missouri, also known as Mizzou, the largest University in the State with over 30,000 students. Along with Stephens College and Columbia College, the city’s student population exceeds 40,000, fostering an environment rich in entrepreneurship and innovation.

“Additionally, Columbia is home to Missouri’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which serves thousands of entrepreneurs annually. SBDCs are among the SBA’s most effective programs at helping small businesses, and moving the SBA’s Regional Office to Columbia would allow even greater cooperation between Missouri SBDC and the SBA.

“Beyond its metropolitan area of over 200,000 residents, Columbia is surrounded by rural communities where small businesses are the backbone of the local economy. Placing the SBA in the heart of Missouri would ensure it remains committed to Main Street businesses and rural entrepreneurs who need its support the most.

“While Kansas City is not officially a sanctuary city, its leadership has embraced policies that align with sanctuary city values, including offering to house migrants from cities overwhelmed by illegal immigration. In response, Missouri lawmakers have taken action to ensure the state’s policies prioritize the interests of its citizens. As the SBA undergoes this critical relocation effort, it may be time for the administration to reinforce these priorities by placing its Regional Office in Columbia rather than a city that leans toward leftist policies. …”

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