By Michelle Price
Special to the UCBJ
BYRDSTOWN – Reports from last week that Fitzgerald Glider Kits was forced to close its Fitzgerald Industries facility in Tompkinsville, Ky resulting in the layoffs of 12 employees were confirmed today by Jon Toomey, the company’s director of government affairs.
Continued delays in the review of Obama-era regulations have resulted in a 90% reduction in both Fitzgerald’s production and employment within the region. The Tompkinsville facility was involved in the manufacture of automotive trailers and hoist systems.
EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler will testify to the House Science and Technology Committee on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 9 a.m. CST and is expected to address glider kit regulations and the controversy regarding their implementation. A live video stream of the hearing is available at https://science.house.gov/hearings/science-and-technology-at-the-environmental-protection-agency.