MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — A member of the Trump administration was in town this Wednesday. Kelly Loeffler, head of the Small Business Administration made several stops in Berkeley County including a tour of Countertop Solutions.
(WEPM Photo by Luke Wiggs)
“When I visit a small business manufacturer, I always come away with ideas I can take back to Washington.” Loeffler said. “We talked about a lot of things. Lowering taxes,
(Photo Courtesy United States Small Business Administration)
which the One Big Beautiful Bill did. But it also provided for small businesses the 100% expensing, the section 199 pass through deduction, that positions small businesses very well for 2026.”
“I’ve done trips from Alaska to Maine, and I am always inspired by the ingenuity of small businesses.” Loeffler said. The SBA hit a record year in 2025 with 45 Billion in lending and that helped 85,000 businesses get access to capital. And we’ve now hit a record in this country of 36 million small businesses, so if we support our small businesses that create 2 out of every 3 new jobs, we’re supporting the economic boom that will be under way in 2026.”
Her second stop was to deliver food to the 167th airlift wing, the National Guard branch of SSgt. Andrew Wolfe, the guardsman who was injured Thanksgiving week in Washington D.C.
“I am incredibly humbled to be able to visit them and share a moment of silence and pray for Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe and his family.” Loeffler said. “I’m the daughter of a veteran that was a member of the 182nd in Peoria, Illinois, so I know how important their work is and I am very excited to see them.”
Story by Panhandle News Network reporter Luke Wiggs
