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New London Businesses See Effects of Shutdown as Coast Guard Families Tighten Belts

In a town where the Coast Guard Academy is a major economic driver, the government shutdown and missing paychecks that have accompanied it are impacting more people than just federal workers.

There are just over 300 active duty, 1,100 cadets and 100 civilians at the Coast Guard Academy working without pay and 160 civilians on furlough during the federal government shutdown, according to Petty Officer Second Class Lauren Loughlin, the spokesperson for the academy, and local businesses are seeing the impact.

“People are tightening up and we’re seeing a decline,” said Peter Farnan, the general manager at Mr. G’s Restaurant.

A big part of the usual evening rush at the restaurant has been missing for a while now.

“Takeout, going to lunch, going to happy hour. That’s where they’re first going to cut the cord,” Farnan said.

In a town where the Coast Guard Academy is a major economic driver, the government shutdown and missing paychecks that have accompanied it are impacting more people than just federal workers.

The January numbers are down as Coast Guard employees cut back on expenses like eating out.

“It’s really starting to trickle down and its really starting to hit people’s pockets,” Farnan said. “If this continues like this, it’s not only going to affect us, but other businesses in the area.”

Across the street at Slice Pizza, the growing concern is much the same.

“Very quiet. Normally at this time this place would be really packed right now,” Bar manager Heidi Silva said.

Silva said the usual Thursday night crowd has all but vanished recently. Both Slice and Mr. G’s are offering Coast Guard families a discount, but frustration is mounting.

“I just want it resolved as quickly as possible. I think it’s ridiculous. And it needs to stop,” Silva said. “They work hard everyday and they need to be paid.”

New London Mayor Michael Passero said he’s glad to see businesses stepping up to try to help residents while the shutdown continues, but he’s ready for it to end, and has a message for lawmakers in DC.

“There has to be a compromise. It has to be done now and they have to stop the madness basically,” Passero said. “You can’t be using citizens, government employees, active duty military personnel as pawns in this partisan battle that they’re having.”

The mayor said he’s hopeful that the City Council will heed Gov. Ned Lamont’s call for towns across the state and delay tax collection for property taxes of federal employees while the shutdown continues.

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