Real Job Stories |
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Examples of environmental investments creating jobs! Mayer Brothers, Inc. & the Maryland Department of Environment: Mayer Brothers, Inc. in Elkridge staved off significant layoffs this year when the small manufacturing company won a contract from the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) to help supply new septic technology throughout Maryland. President Nancy Mayer says company profits were off 40 percent in the recession. The MDE work not only helped Mayer avoid layoffs at the company’s precast plant, but helped the firm hire one additional technician, and also to pay over $1.2 million to 36 septic installers throughout the state, who in turn also subcontracted work to electricians. Earl E. Preston Jr. Inc. & the Bay Restoration Fund: Earl E. Preston Jr. Inc. has been in the septic system business in Fallston since 1971. But when the recession hit, homeowners had little money for fixing failing septic systems. That was not only bad for the environment, but bad for the Preston company. Fifteen employees faced potential layoffs, said Earl Preston, the owner. But a state program that helps families afford to upgrade failing septic systems also saved the day for 15 employees and their families at Preston. Preston got a contract from the Bay Restoration Fund, installed 80 upgraded systems throughout Maryland, thereby reducing nutrient pollution leaking into local creeks, and avoided adding workers to the Maryland unemployment rolls. "In the very slow economic times, the Bay Restoration Fund was instrumental in my business being able to keep all my employees (15 individual families) from being laid off," Mr. Preston said. But the Maryland General Assembly last year cut $5 million from this very state program, the septic system assistance program of the Bay Restoration Fund. Preston said he “probably” will have to lay off some workers as a result. He wrote a letter to Senator James DeGrance, chairman of the Public Safety, Transportation & Environment Subcommittee, asking that the fund not be raided again this year to pay for other state programs. |
