On Air Now Ozarks Now
Listen Live

Senator Blunt Discusses Labor, Material Shortages While Visiting Southwest Missouri

On Senator Roy Blunt’s first stop at White River Marine Group Wednesday, he said two major problems are hindering local businesses, shortages in labor and materials.

“A lot of people given a choice if do I want to stay home and get paid or work and get paid, have been taking the stay home and get a paid option,” said Blunt.

Senator Blunt says he supports the governor’s decision to end federal assistance to unemployment benefits.

“Making unemployment benefits so high that people are reluctant to go to work. You have to make a lot of money at jobs like this to have the same take-home pay you’d have in today’s unemployment benefits,” said Blunt. “I think the governor’s decision to go ahead and eliminate the extra 300 dollars every week will help move people in the direction of back to work as much as anything else the state could do, so we’re glad to see them doing that.”

Shortages in different raw materials are driving prices up for the marine tracker facility in Ozarks that manufactures many of the boats around the area. Terry Perciful, the sales manager for Branson West Marine and Watersports, said the demand has skyrocketed since the pandemic.

“The market has probably tripled in the last 14 months, literally tripled,” said Perciful. “The problem we’re having now with everyone else is the shortage of stuff. So even though we have the demand, the supply is hurting.”

KOLR 10’s full interview with Senator Roy Blunt can be seen on the Ozarks First Website.

(by: Jacob Blount and Ivie Macy, Ozarks First)

More from Local News

Listen Live to Our Family of Stations

     

Ways To Listen

  • Apple store

    Download here if you have an Apple device, including iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
    This will place our app directly on the desktop of your device, making it easy to
    access with just a click. Plus, our app is compatible with Apple CarPlay, so you can
    seamlessly use it in your car too!

  • Google Play

    Download here if you have an Android device, including phone, tablet, or computer.
    This will place our app directly on the home screen of your device, making it easy to
    access with just a tap. Plus, our app is compatible with Android Auto, so you can seamlessly
    use it in your car too!

  • Alexa

    If you use Alexa at home, just say "Alexa, Play Branson4u" no matter where you live.
    Download Alexa here!