FAIRFIELD, IOWA -- It has been in business for more than 100 years, and on Wednesday, another hearing was held to discuss the future of Harper Brush Works.
The company filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, filing two motions in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
Whatever happens to the company, if it is sold or if it can emerge from bankruptcy, Iowa State Representative Curt Hanson wants to see those jobs stay in southeast Iowa.
“It’s employing people in the middle class, and these jobs have been driven into bankruptcy by cheap foreign competition, and I think that we have a duty to do everything we can to try to keep those jobs in Fairfield and in the United States; because it means a lot to communities like Fairfield and a lot to the State of Iowa,” Hanson said.
Knowing how bankruptcy courts works, Hanson told KTVO he would like the company to stay together.
“I hope that we are able to keep this company together. I hope that we are able to find a buyer and our best hope is to find a buyer who will keep those jobs in Fairfield. It is very important to Iowa and Iowans, and Fairfieldians, and people in and around the surrounding area because Harper Brush employs people from outside Jefferson County,” Hanson said.
The state representative believes one way the state could help companies like Harper Brush Works, is by reforming commercial property taxes. Lawmakers have been unable to reach a compromise on that issue and it will most likely come up again in the next session.
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