Local Company Delivers Own Stimulus Check to Employees
On a day when I usually tell you about naughty companies, naughty people or naughty business practices, I thought it might be kind of nice to share a nice story for a change.
In these tough economic times as businesses are tightening the belt and cutting costs, Frederick-based, family-run business Metropolitan Steel delivered a private stimulus package earlier this month to its 50 steel workers and their families.
Employees were worried that there would be news of pay cuts, layoffs or shutdowns announced at a recent financial meeting held by company executives, but instead, CEO and President Rick Hill handed them $600 checks. (That's a photo of Hill there to the right.)
Said Hill of his move, "It was just a little frustrating to watch our national leaders drag their feet while the hardworking families at the steel shop faced the day to day grind of having to make ends meet. By putting a little extra money into the hands of the Metropolitan Steel worker, we're hoping not only to make it a little easier for everyone at home, but motivate spending in the local economy as well."
According to a Gazette story:
Hill doled out a total of $30,000 to employees at the Frederick plant and his two other local companies — Metropolitan Choppers in Frederick and Regal Printing in Hagerstown — after he had been slowly saving for about a year. Giving employees chunks of money is his idea of a meaningful economic stimulus plan, mimicking the federal stimulus checks sent to taxpayers this year.
Now $30,000 might not mean much to a big corporations, but it is a lot for a small company like Metropolitan Steel, a manufacturing company that was started by Hill's father in 1970. And I don't know about the rest of you, but an unexpected $600 is always welcome news in my book.
Talk about going above and beyond. Here's hoping that kind of generosity and spirit spreads beyond Frederick's borders into more communities and businesses.
(photo of Hill from Metropolitan Steel Web site)
Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 1:06 PM | Permalink
| Comments (2)
Categories: Above and Beyond, Economy, Tax rebates
Categories: Above and Beyond, Economy, Tax rebates
Comments
The man needs a big round of applause. Hooray for him! Do you think the local CEO's who make millions of dollars would be willing to even give $10 to all their employees? No!!! Great job Rick!
DD: Dean, I know what you mean. I think I get charged $10 just to replace my I.D. badge if I lose it.
Posted by: Dean | October 21, 2008 3:39 PM
That's a businessman right there.
He cares about the bottom line AND the welfare and happiness of his employees. A modern day Fezziwig!
DD: Definitely nice to know there are some real Fezziwigs in this world.
Posted by: bryanintimonium | October 22, 2008 9:18 AM