President Trump recently dismissed several hundred probationary employees at the Small Business Administration to downsize the federal workforce. This action prompts a vital question: Shouldn’t we consider terminating the SBA?

This idea has been raised before. In 1986, President Reagan proposed abolishing the SBA, but his efforts failed. In 2012, President Barack Obama tried to restructure the agency by placing it under the Department of Commerce, which did not progress either.

Despite politicians hesitating to upset the influential voting bloc of small-business owners, it’s time for reconsideration. As a small-business owner who has engaged with numerous small businesses, I believe the SBA is largely unsuccessful.

While the SBA has provided noteworthy financial support to businesses in need, its other programs seem less effective. The agency’s existence to manage various programs poses a question of their efficiency and the return on investment.

Although some businesses benefit from these services, my experience indicates that a limited number of small-business owners utilize them due to a hesitance to seek guidance from government officials.

Although the SBA offers valuable services through resources like SCORE and Small Business Development Centers, their efficacy varies, raising doubts about the agency’s overall impact.

While I commend the dedication of prior SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, the agency’s awareness and quality of services for eligible small businesses remain uncertain. However, the agency consistently overlooks its primary demographic.

The SBA’s focus on minority-owned businesses neglects the majority of small-business owners, particularly those struggling to compete against large entities.

Considering the mishandling of COVID loans and the agency’s inefficacy, it’s reasonable to contemplate shutting down the SBA.

Retaining beneficial programs, transferring disaster funding to FEMA, and integrating loan programs with Commerce could provide more effective support for small businesses. Redirecting assistance to private nonprofit organizations could enhance business development efforts.

Established in 1953 as a gesture of support for small businesses, the SBA’s growth and operations have highlighted its lack of success. With increased scrutiny of government operations, it may be the opportune moment to conclude this experiment and explore more impactful ways to support small businesses.

Gene Marks, founder of The Marks Group, is a small-business consulting expert.