1. Are these comments regarding @SBAgov Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) the sign of a failing federal agency or the unjustified complaints of a vocal minority? Hard to say because SBA hasn't been transparent with businesses at all. 
2. What I do know is thousands (millions?) of American small businesses have applied for these covid-related relief funds and SBA currently cannot tell them when their EIDLs may be funded or when their modifications may be processed. Some have been waiting months.
3. SBA doesn't respond on Twitter. Call wait times are well over an hour. When finally answered, customer service reps appear to be contractors who have no knowledge of the process and no authority to assist businesses.
4. Most Americans think the pandemic is over, but its effects on businesses that import from outside the U.S. are still profound. For example, my business depends on farmers in South Asia, a region currently being ravaged by covid. We'll need assistance as long as this goes on.
5. So would I like to speak to the manager of SBA? Sure. But in the interest of advancing open, transparent government and helping other businesses, it would just be nice if @SBAgov could handle the basics of this challenge:
6. First, post weekly data dumps showing the number of loan requests, the number of loans processed and the number backlogged beyond, say, 30 days. This is similar to what @DeptVetAffairs did during the disability claims backlog of 2010-2013.
7. Second, hire customer service reps who know what they're doing or don't have a customer support line at all.
If @SBAgov can't do this, then there's a problem.
cc: @HouseSmallBiz, @SenateSmallBiz
If @SBAgov can't do this, then there's a problem.
cc: @HouseSmallBiz, @SenateSmallBiz
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