Robins Air Force Base’s Furloughed Workers Get Discounts from Businessess

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Robins Air Force Base workers are getting help from local businesses. The 21st Century Partnership says it is working as a conduit between corporations and furloughed base workers.

The partnership at Robins Air Force Base is urging businesses to offer discounts of their products and services to furloughed employees until the government shutdown is over.

“One of the phenomenal things about this community is that they don’t care if you’re furloughed or not,” says 21st Century Partnership Chief Operating Officer, Chrissy Miner. “This community rallies in support of their neighbors- always. It’s something that I’ve witnessed for as long as I’ve been in middle Georgia.”

Jimbo’s Pizza Restaurant and a hair stylist at Colours Salon are a couple of businesses working with the base partnership.

Hair color specialist, Chris Deese says he wants to help ease the pinch for base workers during the government shutdown.

“I’m doing a discount for any employee that has been furloughed. The haircuts are available any day that I am here,” says Deese. “The furloughed discounts are twenty dollars off on any color service or $10 off of a haircut.”

He says most of the businesses in the Warner Robins area depend on air force base workers as customers.

“The majority of my clientele in this town, pretty much comes from the base,” adds Deese. “So we are affected by it as well as they are. It’s not much but, it’s a little bit to help out if they need their hair cut during this time. We don’t know how long the furlough is going to last.”

Robins Air Force Base’s furloughed workers are scheduled to receive 50% of their pay check next week. However, they will not get paid again until the government resumes paying its employees.

There is a difference from the last time base workers were furloughed.

“The difference between this furlough and the earlier furlough associated with sequestration, is we have no idea when this furlough is going to end,” says Miner. “Previously, they were looking at a reduction in pay. This time they are looking at no pay whatsoever, until the government starts operating again.”

The 21st Century Partnership has listed the names and contact information of the businesses offering discounts to the furloughed workers on their website, 21stcenturypartnership.com.

Businesses interested in offering discounts to furloughed base workers are asked to call 478-225-9005.