Text of Senator Charles Schumer's Letter to Hector V. Barreto, U.S. Small Business Administration

Dear Administrator Barreto:

It is my understanding that staffing shortages are preventing the SBA's Elmira Branch Office from carrying out some of its basic functions. I write to respectfully urge you to fully staff the Elmira Branch Office; not only would this ensure the Elmira region gets the full attention it deserves, but it would relieve the tremendous burdens placed on the Syracuse office which has been forced to handle and process all Elmira matters because of the shortage.

Since 1972, the Syracuse Regional Office has operated a Branch Office in Elmira in order to meet the specific small business needs of the Southern Tier of Upstate NY. However, the office's most recent permanent branch manager, attorney, and lending officer have all left Elmira, leaving the facility without either lending authority or the ability to prepare and read loan documents. As a result, work falling within Elmira's jurisdiction is currently being shifted to the Syracuse Regional Office, and this has compromised the ability of the Syracuse office to serve either population optimally.

While I have complete faith in the professionalism and helpfulness of employees at the Syracuse Regional Office, I am concerned about the impact that this concentration of work will bring to small businesses throughout the Southern Tier. The men and women currently making lending decisions are currently serving two distinctly different regions within New York State - and those individuals may not be familiar with the Southern Tier and its local economy. At the same time, the influx of new work may also be impacting the applications they are receiving from their home jurisdiction of Central New York.

A clear solution to this dilemma would be for the Small Business Administration to fully staff the Elmira Branch Office, which has ably served its region for over 30 years. This move will relieve any pressure being felt at Syracuse while ensuring that the Southern Tier receives the full attention it deserves.

Thank you for your attention to my request. As always, if I may be of any assistance to you in this matter, please do not hesitate to call.

Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senate