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Font Resize"Normally any money is for job creation" or retention, said Miller, R-Jacobus. "That has been the history."
But Miller and several other lawmakers said they nonetheless support Gov. Ed Rendell's decision to offer Harley-Davidson a $15.4 million incentive package to stay in York.
The company is planning to make deep cuts in its workforce, perhaps eliminating up to 950 jobs of its current 1,900 union-member workforce.
Rendell is offering the money for facility improvements and training, according to a Harley statement issued Thursday.
"It's outside the norm but it's tough economic times," Miller said of the circumstances surrounding Rendell's offer. "If that's what it took to keep Harley here, I can live with it."
At a Thursday press conference, Rendell said he was gratified by Harley's decision, but that he has mixed feelings because the reduction in the Harley work force would cause "significant pain."
He said he felt overall that the investment was "worth it" for several reasons, including the numerous Pennsylvania companies who act as suppliers to Harley and would be affected if the company left.
The final economic incentive package was reduced from $20 million as the company reduced the number of employees who would keep their job at the plant, Rendell said.
Standing behind Rendell during the press conference were state Sens. Mike Waugh, R-Shrewsbury, and Lloyd Smucker, R-Lancaster, and Reps. Eugene DePasquale, D-York City and Keith Gillespie, R-Springettsbury Township.
He said the legislators were instrumental, in a year when state budget money was very tight, to pursuading their colleagues to appropriate the funds necessary for the Harley incentive package.
"Critical": Among those colleagues are Rep. Stan Saylor, R-Windsor, who said keeping the company in York is critical.
Perhaps the jobs lost will be filled again when the economic climate improves and people buy more motorcycles, he said.
"Because of the economy being in a recession, it's better to save the jobs you have, whatever they may be, than it is to lose all those jobs and let the employers go away," Saylor said.
DePasquale said it makes sense to give the company money to improve its plant.
A more efficient facility makes the company more competitive in the marketplace, he said. The company's success could generate more jobs in the future and bolster the local economy.
"Losing them would have been a tremendous problem for the community," DePasquale said. "Not everyone will be thrilled with what was done to" keep them here.
Smucker said it was clear the key to Harley's decision to stay in York revolved around a new union contract.
But any influence the state's money made was "beneficial," he said.
"We were competing with other states to keep them here and when you're in that situation you do everything you can to keep them here," he said.
Gillespie acknowledged that the day was "bittersweet" for York County, but he said he looks forward to an economic climate when Harley might be able to bring some jobs back.
"Those are words I hope to one day hear, as we plant the seeds of recovery in these difficult economic times," he said.
Casey weighs in: U.S. Senator Bob Casey, D-Pa., had been working on behalf of Harley on a federal level.
He released a statement Thursday, saying he was pleased that the company had chosen to keep the York operations open and "optimistic that Harley will have a strong presence in York for years to come."
He said he will continue to be in communication with the union and Harley management to assist in any way possible with the restructuring.
"I am disappointed that hard working men and women are going to be laid off and pledge to do anything I can on a federal level to be of assistance to them and their families," he said, adding that he commends the union leadership for their conduct throughout the process.
"They tackled a tough situation and saved hundreds of jobs," he said. "They deserve a great deal of credit for helping to save the York facility."
