AMBRIDGE, Pa. -- A Beaver County landmark will have to close its doors because of
statewide budget cuts and layoffs that were announced on Monday, according to
a Sewickley Herald report.
Old Economy Village in Ambridge is one of six venues scheduled to be shut down by the
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
The commission's budget was cut by more than $15 million in the new state budget, and Gov. Ed Rendell's administration said Monday that 85 employees will lose their jobs.
"Basically, all of the guides, the education, is gone from the site," said Rita Dobson, guide supervisor at Old Economy and one of the furloughed employees. "We had a very hard-working staff at the village who gave their all. Our staff was devastated."
Employee Layoff Info: Unemployment Benefits, State Assistance, Resource ContactsOld Economy is scheduled to close at 5 p.m. Friday. It could reopen for special events like school tours and Christmas programs, depending on the outcome of a meeting on Tuesday night.
The PHMC layoffs are among more than 300 state employees who are losing their jobs off as part of a recession-wracked budget that's nearly 2 percent lower than last year.
No state parks will shut down, but the state parks and forests department will shorten the seasons for campgrounds and swimming at pools and beaches while curtailing snow removal, mowing and educational and recreational programs.
The layoffs are expected to save $7.9 million in the 2009-10 fiscal year and $16.7 million over the next 12 months, said Rendell's secretary of administration, Naomi Wyatt.
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