Lycoming County-area officials indicate federal government shutdown will have some local impact
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A federal government shutdown impacts agencies in greater Williamsport that receive federal dollars.
Agency personnel assured the Sun-Gazette they have weathered similar shutdowns in the past, including a 2018-19 one that lasted a bit longer than a month.
The sky isn't falling in terms of Community Development Block Grants or programs at the City of Williamsport's Community and Economic Development office.
"We are going to be OK," assured August "Skip" Memmi, executive director of the department headquartered inside Trade and Transit Centre I.
While he said a federal government showdown would be an unfortunate development, what federal dollars are made available to the city, through grants, the city has already received for the allotments needed for the short-term projects using CDBG dollars.
These include street reconstruction and paving and home and residential improvements.
Now, if someone is applying for a new home loan with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, he or she may be subject to delays if there is a collapse of the government, Memmi said of the potential furloughs that take place.
"We are not anticipating impact," said James Plankenhorn, CEO of Lycoming-Clinton Counties Commission for Community Action (STEP) Inc.
The agency relies on federal government money to support programs that help a variety of individuals, including those who are income-eligible, however, many funds are securely in place.
"Normally, monies will flow when a government shutdown occurs," he said.
The historical precedence of shutdowns -- either ending soon after they start -- and stopgap resolutions that continue to provide paychecks for several more weeks -- is what makes Plankenhorn cautiously optimistic.
Plankenhorn said he viewed the past federal government shutdown as reason to be hopeful that Congress will come up with a solution.
"We can keep our programs going and serving customers," Plankenhorn said, assuring those depending on STEP Inc. as an agency provider.
"We expect even if the payments are delayed, we'd be paid," Plankenhorn said.
According to the Associated Press, there is a risk of those who are dependent on food assistance or Women, Infants and Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition assistance program contingency funds accounts running out.
However, expect no ramifications to Social Security, Medicare or delivery of mail by the U.S. Postal service. Veterans Administration pensions also should not be affected by a government shutdown.
Government employees are expected to remain on the job, although they won't be paid.
"Clearly it's not a positive development for our economy, but it pales in comparison to the inflation caused by Bidenomics and the spending," stated Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas.
Meuser represents the 9th Congressional District, much of which is in Williamsport and eastern Lycoming County. Among his legislative focus has been concern for small business development.
The Small Business Administration said during a shutdown those loans stop. Small businesses employ about half of the U.S. private sector workers and are the first to cut costs and staff during downturns.
It depends on how long a shutdown lasts but non-essential federal functions will be suspended without passage of several appropriation bills. Infrastructure projects awaiting approval from the Environmental Protection Agency might be stalled.
National Institutes of Health clinical trials could be slowed.
Furloughs would apply to over 700,000 workers out of 3.5 million federal employees.
Steve Reaves, a union leader for workers at the Federal Emergency Management Agency recalled for The Associated Press, workers having to pull money out of their early retirement to make ends meet during the last government shutdown in 2018-19.
Farmers across America will feel the pinch.
"There are real consequences to real people when there is a shutdown," Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said.
He estimated 50,000 workers in USDA would be furloughed, affecting not only the workers but local economies where spending will be constrained.
U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Howard, represents a part of western Williamsport and Clinton County, among other vast areas of Pennsylvania, and is chairman of the Agriculture Committee.
Attempts to reach Thompson for a comment on the shutdown were not immediately successful, however, a 2023 Farm Bill expires with other federal funding at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, reporting linked with Thompson said.
The bill has languished as the House focused on averting a government shutdown.