HARRISON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – The federal government shutdown has temporarily laid off several hundred workers at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, and the Sugarbush Tavern nearby is feeling the effect.
"Our business is down by 50 percent," said owner Kent Richter while sitting near a 1/2 dozen empty tables during lunch hour. "On a normal day, we're packed."
According to Selfridge Air National Guard Base, about 650 military technicians and civilian workers were sent home Tuesday, leaving about 150 active duty members of the 127th Wing on duty.
With no settlement in sight, Richter says business owners like him have reason to worry.
"So far, we haven't had to cut anybody's hours, but if this goes on for long, things will get bad."