For the News-Register
Photo by Nora Edinger
A temporary closure sign near the front entrance to Patsyâs Pizza in Elm Grove reveals the businessâs search for workers continues. Itâs a problem common to many businesses around the Ohio Valley.
WHEELING The “now hiring” signs in front of nearly every eatery and store in the city are morphing into occasional “closed” signs. This included one outside the iconic Patsy’s Pizza that remained in place for the second half of April.
Just what is happening to work in the Ohio Valley?
Has a COVID-driven expansion of unemployment assistance and rounds of stimulus checks sunk at least temporarily the need for paychecks? Is it something else population decline, opioid addiction, poor health?
Italy
Ohio-county
West-virginia
United-states
Virginia
Morgantown
Wheeling
Italian
Joe-vespa
John-deskins
Kelly-mitchem
Erikka-storch
For The Times Leader
WHEELING The “now hiring” signs in front of nearly every eatery and store in the city are morphing into occasional “closed” signs. This included one outside the iconic Patsy’s Pizza that remained in place for the second half of April.
Just what is happening to work in the Ohio Valley?
Has a COVID-driven expansion of unemployment assistance and rounds of stimulus checks sunk at least temporarily the need for paychecks? Is it something else – population decline, opioid addiction, poor health?
Three voices shared their takes on such questions. They include Joe Vespa, owner of Patsy’s Pizza of Elm Grove; Del. Erikka Storch, R-Ohio, who also heads the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce; and John Deskins, director of the West Virginia University Bureau of Business and Economic Research in Morgantown.
Italy
Ohio-county
West-virginia
United-states
Virginia
Morgantown
Wheeling
Italian
Joe-vespa
John-deskins
Kelly-mitchem
Erikka-storch