A member of the Trump administration visited Washington County. SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler visited Steel Nation on her tour of the United States to recognize small businesses during National Small Business Week. Loeffler met with Steel Nation President Mark Dooley and his staff to gain an understanding of their business. Steel Nation is a manufacturer of steel buildings that house equipment in the oil and gas and data center industries. They employ 45 people from western Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. Loeffler promoted the advantages small businesses were able to gain with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, the No Tax on Tips policy and loosening of regulations. Dooley spoke of Steel Nation’s experience with the SBA, when they were able to take advantage of the payroll protection plan and the IRS employee retention program when business slowed considerably during the Covid 19 pandemic. According to the SBA, there are 36 million small businesses that represent 99% of all private sector employers and they create 2 of every 3 new jobs. Small businesses contribute to roughly half of our nation’s Gross Domestic Product.