Progressive Screen shuts down facility

Beaten down by a tight economy, Progressive Screen Engraving owner Treavor Potts said his company will be closing its doors for good tomorrow.

At its height, the company employed as many as 60 workers at its Beech Street facility. That workforce was trimmed when the company phased out its engraving operations about a year ago. A skeleton crew of only three employees were on the job this week.

A bitter Potts blamed governmental policies for damaging his business.

"The government sold us out," he said.

Potts said he tried to stay in business even though sales had dragged for some time.

"I did everything that I could," he said. "I've been losing a lot of money but I tried to remain open. But you have to pay county and city taxes and the insurance for employees.

"We used to get schools around here (for our screen printing business), but we hadn't had an order this year. They said they don't have any money," he added.

Potts said he's optimistic his workers have the skills to find other work.

"These people are highly qualified," he said. "They ought to be able to find a job doing what they were doing for me."