Letter to the editor: Restart Act would help many businesses

Western Pennsylvania has been the proud home of two of the largest fireworks companies for decades. In any given year prior to the covid-19 pandemic, Pyrotecnico and Zambelli Fireworks produce well over 3,500 displays annually, entertaining millions of audiences across the country.

The professional fireworks entertainment industry has been almost completely shut down since the pandemic hit the nation. The vast majority of Independence Day celebrations were canceled, along with most events, festivals and fairs, resulting in little to no income for these family businesses. This has resulted in tremendous financial hardship to most of the 150 small family businesses in the display fireworks entertainment industry.

The covid-19 crisis has brought significant hardship to my small family business and talented workforce. We do not anticipate any measurable recovery until large gatherings can resume. As a result, we are now unfortunately implementing layoffs and salary reductions once again in an attempt to survive these financial challenges.

We strongly support the Restart Act introduced in the House and Senate and would like to commend Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Butler, who is a lead sponsor on the bipartisan bill that will provide much needed financial relief to small businesses most affected by the covid-19 crisis. It will address the inevitable and unavoidable longer term losses so many companies in various industries are facing.

We urge Congress to take swift action and pass the Restart Act to support the hardest hit small businesses throughout the country.

Stephen Vitale

New Castle