MIKE REUTHER mreuther@sungazette.com
WILLIAMSPORT The decision by Shop Vac to close its Williamsport plant last year left local officials glum at the prospect of losing hundred of jobs from the local economy.
The eventual purchase of the plant by GreatStar Tools USA brought hope, but the situation has become even brighter with the news that at least 100 employees are now being rehired to work there.
“This month, they are looking to hire back 55 people,” Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce President Jason Fink said. “They are anticipating 50 next month.”
The company seems to be making good on its promise when it took ownership of Shop Vac assets to rehire employees who lost their jobs when the factory let go most of its 430-plus work force in the fall.
mreuther@sungazette.com
The decision by Shop Vac to close its Williamsport plant last year left local officials glum at the prospect of losing hundred of jobs from the local economy.
The eventual purchase of the plant by GreatStar Tools USA brought hope, but the situation has become even brighter with the news that at least 100 employees are now being rehired to work there.
“This month, they are looking to hire back 55 people,” Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce President Jason Fink said. “They are anticipating 50 next month.”
The company seems to be making good on its promise when it took ownership of Shop Vac assets to rehire employees who lost their jobs when the factory let go most of its 430-plus work force in the fall.
The Williamsport area, home to the Little League World Series, is especially reliant on tourism. Author: Carolyn Blackburne Updated: 10:39 PM EST February 10, 2021
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. State grant money totaling $145 million is on its way to help bars, restaurants, and hotels.
The Hospitality Relief Program focuses on helping smaller businesses with fewer than 300 employees.
It s an industry especially hard hit in Williamsport.
The Little League World Series would normally bring in tons of tourism dollars to Billtown, but not in a pandemic.
Gloria and Liz Miele, owners of the Peter Herdic Inn and Dining House, said this money could not come at a better time.
mreuther@sungazette.com
Community leaders took turns citing reasons why commercial airline service is vital for the area in a three-hour webinar Thursday.
The Center for Rural Pennsylvania Hearing brought together officials from government, industry, education, and health care.
Frank Pelligrino, chair, Williamsport Municipal Airport Authority, said air service is simply a must for rural communities.
He noted the investments made to upgrade the airport in Montoursville over the years, including a new terminal building.
Pelligrino was among a number of people noting the loss of flight service to and from Charlotte, North Carolina, in the fall after it was launched in August.
Jan 12, 2021
U.S. Rep. Fred Keller, R-Kreamer, told local leaders Monday he’s happy the latest COVID-19 relief bill will provide help to the many small businesses and families hurt by the pandemic.
However, he made it clear he could not support the legislation because it included provisions that in the long run can hurt the economy.
“I ultimately voted against it because it spends well beyond our means,” he said. “We needed to do things to get through COVID-19. Our national debt is over $27 trillion. We needed to concentrate on COVID and not all these other things.”
Among his main concerns with the $2.3 trillion funding relief package, he said, include payouts for unemployment, which he feels discourage the jobless to go back to work.