Small Businesses Depend on Steel

For many decades, Pennsylvania has relied on the steel industry to provide well-paying jobs and help drive the economy. I have watched for years as attempts to suck jobs out of the state have partially succeeded, leaving less for the small businesses I have worked with. When I first started helping small businesses market themselves across the state and nation nearly 20 years ago, small Pennsylvania towns were still abuzz with economic activity and growth. Has anyone else noticed that many of our small towns are now struggling to keep their businesses doors open? I worry that if a proposed sale of US Steel to a company in Cleveland is allowed to proceed, that that state’s small towns and small businesses will be the first to suffer. US Steel drives nearly $2 billion of economic activity in Pennsylvania and supports nearly 12,000 jobs across the state. As anyone familiar with the economy or Pennsylvania small businesses knows, this economic activity and these jobs are crucial to making sure the overall economy remains healthy. Small businesses provide a myriad of services that depend on a healthy economy. If jobs are shipped out of the state as I gather, which will almost assuredly happen if this sale moves forward, it will be more than just the direct industry that is hurt. There are numerous charities that depend on the generosity of Pennsylvania small businesses which could see a drop in donations if jobs are shipped out of the state. The next few months will determine how small businesses fare as a result of these important decisions. If a sale is allowed to move forward, shipping jobs from PA to Cleveland, I fear the disturbing trend of jobs and businesses disappearing from the state will continue. Elected officials should refrain from making decisions of this magnitude unless they are ready to see more economic activity seep away from the state.

John Preston has been working in Pennsylvania small business marketing for the past 25 years