WILLIAMSTON, Mich. — Thousands of federal employees are working with pay, meanwhile, others are on furlough because of the government shutdown. They aren't the only ones being hurt by the gridlock in Washington.
The co-owner of a brewing company in Williamston told News 10 that the shutdown could stop him from making some sales.
"It's frustrating and it certainly is a bummer," said Travis Fritts, co-owner of Old Nation Brewing Company. Fritts has beer brands he wants to ship out-of-state, but because of the government shutdown, his beer is stuck in Michigan.
"Electron Brown is our winter seasonal. It's a brown ale produced with our locally produced coffee beans. We really want to get it particularly to the Chicago and Ohio markets."
Because of the shutdown, employees at the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau aren't working. The bureau collects taxes and approves labels for Fritts's business.
'Without a TTB label approval, I can't sell any beer outside of Michigan so new brands that we intended to release later this winter, so in January and February, we're not sure if we can release at all."
Whether the shutdown affects his sales depends on how long it lasts. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the government could be shut down for a long time unless he can get at least $2.5 billion for his border wall.
The shutdown also affects part of the housing market.
Federal loans for new home buyers could be delayed. The same goes for HUD vouchers and inspections. The U.S. Department of Agriculture won't be issuing new rural development loans, as well.
Fritts said he may have to miss out on two months of sales. It won't kill his brand, but it's frustrating to have to re-plan.
"It's a challenge, but it's something we can certainly surmount."
Fritts said he does have some brands that are already approved so he can sell those out-of-state. He'll have to wait and see for the rest.
House Democrats are expected to pass a spending bill to re-open the government Thursday.
The question is what the Republican-controlled Senate will do with it.
