ATV owners suffer
‘Worker bees’ aren’t the problem County paying corporate welfare?
We, at O.C. Cluss Lumber Company, have followed the ongoing political/media frenzy on the Home Depot/Widewater subject for several months. We had deemed it best to keep our thoughts private. However, with the commissioners of Fayette County making a $400,000 contribution to this “much anticipated” project, we feel compelled to take our views public.
We feel this support of a national, Atlanta-based company is a slap in the face to us and other local merchants. Remember, Home Depot is in many businesses, i.e., home improvement, lighting, plumbing, flooring, appliances, paint, lawn and garden, etc. We have no problem competing with them on an equal playing field.
O.C. Cluss Lumber has never asked for, or received, any subsidy from Fayette County or South Union Township. Our employees work, live and raise their families here. We also pay our taxes in Fayette County.
Everyone speaks of the 200 jobs Home Depot will provide. We compete with Home Depot in several markets. Our educated guess is that, after their corporate personnel return to Atlanta, Home Depot will employ perhaps 60 to 70 people with several being part-time. Home Depot is one of the largest companies in America. Their sales are approximately $60 billion. Home Depot’s revenues are in excess of $3 billion. That’s correct, $3 billion. We do not understand why they need or expect assistance from local taxpayers.
Our company, O.C. Cluss Lumber, has been in Uniontown since 1918. While we have expanded regionally, our corporate offices are maintained in Uniontown where we employ over 100 full-time people. Over the years, we have contributed significantly to the Uniontown Hospital, the YMCA, Marshall Plaza, the State Theatre, Penn State-Fayette Campus, California University, local schools and many other charities. We are involved in Fayette County. For 85 years O.C. Cluss Lumber Company and its employees have been very appreciative of the support of the people of Fayette County. We are proud to be an integral part of our community.
Chris Cluss, president/CEO,
O.C. Cluss Lumber Co.