SOMERSET. Pa. (WJAC) — Local businesses continue to feel the effects of the shutdown because of the coronavirus.
On Wednesday morning, U.S. Senator Pat Toomey stopped at local business, Leiss Tool and Die to hear about the ways they are dealing with the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Also, interested in learning about how some of the legislation we’ve passed. How is that affecting employment, job opportunities in companies like this and others,” said Toomey.
One type of legislation passed was the Paycheck Protection Program, which Leiss Tool and Die applied for and received, which Manager, Dan Leiss says the process was easy. He says their production had to shut down for a few weeks as a result of the coronavirus. Now, back to full force, he says they are still facing obstacles.
“That experience was pretty good. Probably the most difficult part of it and the whole covid-19 is that nobody knew what was going to happen. When it was going to happen. Like right now we are running into certain supply chain issues, because other companies in different parts of the country are shutdown at different times. And everything has to work its way back out,” said Leiss.
Leiss Tool and Die currently has over 160 employees. But one topic discussed between Leiss and Toomey was workforce development.
“One of the issues we have is finding qualified people. Machinists, welders, fabricators very hard to find that,” said Leiss. “People are retiring and there is no one coming in behind to fill it out, so we are seeing that come to fruition right now,” he added.
6 News asked Senator Toomey if he thinks our counties could see another shut down in the future if case numbers continue to rise, he says he believes anther shutdown would be a bad idea.
“With the proper precautions people can be working and earning their living so I think it would be a big mistake if we went backwards. I think we need to go forwards. Do it carefully. Do it following appropriate guidelines. But we do not need another lockdown,” said Leiss.
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