Turns out that, other than roomy Metro trains and a bearable rush hour commute into the District, a government shutdown would actually stink pretty badly for many private-sector employees.
That’s because many of us need the feds for business, says Jim Dinegar, head of the Greater Washington Board of Trade.
Dinegar said the region’s contracting community (that’s you, Maryland and Virginia) could take a major hit if Congress can’t pass a budget by the new March 18 deadline. He said members estimate a shutdown could cost up to $5 million a day in business.
“You have to manage whether or not you’re going to be paid [for your work], and they may end up … furloughing employees,” Dinegar said. “A three-week hit like last time is very difficult to overcome.”
Government employees who worked during the 1995 shutdown were retroactively reimbursed. But contractors weren’t — meaning those who worked on projects did so for free, costing companies millions.
Meanwhile, the hospitality industry — restaurants, hotels, etc. — isn’t immune, either. While D.C. will still be open, big attractions like the National Zoo and the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum will be closed. Hotels and restaurants will likely take a hit in sales.
The Board of Trade recommends that private companies prepare for the shutdown by deciding whether staff hours should be cut and planning for at least one month ahead. Dinegar added that companies should secure as much project approval and funding as possible before March 18 so employees can continue moving forward on government-related work.
