WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Small Business Administration canceled last week’s 12th annual National Veterans Small Business Week amid the ongoing federal shutdown, halting plans to honor millions of veteran entrepreneurs whose businesses form a key part of the American economy.
The weeklong celebration, originally scheduled for November 3–7, was intended to highlight the nation’s 1.6 million veteran-owned small businesses. Instead, it joins the growing list of SBA programs and events suspended as the budget stalemate continues to paralyze key federal services.
“By refusing to support a clean funding bill to reopen the government, Senate Democrats have frozen the majority of SBA’s services, including our small business lending programs and public events like National Veterans Small Business Week,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “I am disappointed that SBA will be unable to recognize our nation’s veteran entrepreneurs – and that Senate Democrats continue to block pay for more than 1 million active-duty military members.”
Each year, the SBA’s National Veterans Small Business Week brings together federal agencies, local organizations, and private partners to recognize veterans’ leadership and contributions to the U.S. economy. This year’s theme, “Honoring Veteran-Owned, American Made,” was designed to celebrate veterans’ role in driving manufacturing, strengthening national security, and contributing more than $1 trillion in annual sales.
Loeffler said the agency remains committed to veterans despite the shutdown, describing them as “the best of America through leadership, sacrifice, and innovation.”
Even as celebrations were called off, the SBA announced it had closed Fiscal Year 2025 with $6 billion in disaster assistance delivered to survivors across the country. Under President Donald J. Trump’s leadership, the agency approved more than 51,000 loans to help homeowners, renters, and businesses recover from wildfires, hurricanes, and other major disasters, with an average approval time of 17 days.
“The Trump SBA is standing shoulder-to-shoulder with disaster survivors across America, delivering rapid and robust support to help them rebuild and thrive,” Loeffler said.
The majority of those loans were approved after President Trump took office, with the agency citing record-speed recovery efforts and a focus on cutting red tape. California led all states in approvals, particularly in Los Angeles County, where the SBA extended disbursement periods for wildfire victims amid local permitting delays.
The agency also noted it had repealed a prior regulation upheld under the Biden Administration that prevented faith-based organizations from receiving SBA disaster loans, a move it said restored lawful access to federal assistance.
As the shutdown continues to ripple across the nation, the contrast between halted celebrations and accelerated aid efforts highlights the strain on small business owners — especially veteran entrepreneurs — caught between Washington’s gridlock and Main Street’s resilience.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.