SBA Chief Visits Vermont Business

WILLISTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Top Trump administration officials say they are working to ease the burden of tariffs on small businesses.

U.S. Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler visited Rigorous Technology, a Williston-based business that creates software for robotic arms used for manufacturing and logistics. Like other businesses, they have been hit by President Trump’s tariffs.

Loeffler says the SBA is looking to roll out new loans for manufacturers and is developing a new list of USA-based suppliers to help avoid tariffs, as well as proposing a loan increase from $5 million to $10 million.

“It’s a bipartisan bill that has passed through the House and Senate. We’re hoping it gets brought to the floor by the end of the year, and our manufacturers can really take off with that access to a $10 million loan that helps them invest in equipment you see here,” Loeffler said.

The aim of the president’s tariffs is to generate revenue for the U.S. Treasury and to bring manufacturing back to America. Those tariffs are currently being challenged in the U.S. Supreme Court.