Kenneth Lujan, then-U.S. Small Business Administration Guam branch manager, delivers a speech during the SBA Awards at M80 Systems Inc. in Asan on July 17, 2024.
Photo by Frank San Nicolas/The Guam Daily Post
HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — Delegate James Moylan is urging Kelly Loeffler, the administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, to quickly work to restore operations at the Guam SBA office.
“On March 21, the SBA announced plans to lay off 43% of its workforce, resulting in the termination of Mr. Kenneth Q. Lujan, the dedicated remaining staff member at the branch office. On April 19, local media reported the unfortunate closure of the Guam Branch Office, a vital resource for our community,” Moylan wrote in a letter to Loeffler.
The Guam office has been a cornerstone in providing financial assistance and enabling businesses and residents to recover and rebuild from disasters since 1962, according to Moylan. More recently, the office “played an indispensable role” helping Guam’s economy recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and Typhoon Mawar, Moylan added.
“The decision to shut down the Guam office and transfer its responsibilities to the Hawaii SBA office poses significant challenges for our communities and small businesses. The time zone difference and geographic distance will inevitably lead to delays, while the absence of local representation will hinder businesses relying on SBA loans from accessing the critical assistance they need,” Moylan wrote.
“While I commend and support the administration’s initiative to streamline spending for the empowerment of small businesses, it is essential to recognize that the Guam SBA Branch Office is not merely an expense; it is a lifeline for our island’s economic health,” Moylan added.
