Senators Join Forces to Highlight SEWN’s Services

Harrisburg – The bipartisan PA Senate Economy, Business and Jobs Caucus, and PA Senate Manufacturing Caucus will hold a joint meeting on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 from 9am – 10:30am at the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building, Room 8E-B, Harrisburg PA 17120.

Senators Bob Mensch (R- Montgomery/Berks/Bucks) and Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton/Lehigh/ Monroe) co-chair the Economy Business and Jobs Caucus. Joining them in this joint hearing will be the co-chairs of the Manufacturing Caucus, Senator Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland County) and Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny County).
The focus of the joint meeting is the Strategic Early Warning Network (SEWN). SEWN was developed and is administered by the Steel Valley Authority in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. SEWN saves manufacturing jobs throughout Pennsylvania by offering layoff aversion services to stabilize, restructure, turnaround, or attract buyers for at-risk small- to medium-sized manufacturing firms. Given the fact that a company’s problems are easier to address before they reach the crisis stage, SEWN staff responds to companies within forty-eight hours of their request. SEWN personnel visit with a company’s management, owners, and workforce as appropriate to set up site visits and plant tours. Working with all parties concerned, SEWN inventories all available resources and help develop solutions.

The panel will consist of representatives from: The Department of Labor and Industry, 3 SEWN representatives, and two former SEWN clients. All representatives will describe SEWN’s services and SEWN’s positive impact on Pennsylvania’s communities.

Senators Mensch, Boscola, Ward and Fontana have always been advocates for layoff aversion and saving manufacturing jobs in Pennsylvania. SEWN is one of the most cost-effective jobs programs in the United States. In 2011-2012, the overall program average cost per job retained was $957. In the last five years, SEWN’s program costs averaged $890 per job saved when total costs were considered. During this time, SEWN saved the Commonwealth more than $30 million in Pennsylvania unemployment benefits, and over $121 million if jobs/payroll multipliers are included in the cost/benefit analysis.

In addition, SEWN services are provided to the manufacturer free of charge.

Media coverage is welcome and appreciated.

CONTACTS:

Sarah Stroman, Senator Bob Mensch, 215-541-2388
Julia Brinjac, Senator Lisa Boscola, 717-787-4236