The federal government shutdown is impacting the Boston area in a variety of ways, including the tourism industry.
At Minute Man National Historical Park, hundreds of parking spots, public restrooms and access to the visitor’s center are off-line during the shutdown. It’s all happening in October, when Concord sees about 30,000 visitors according to town officials.
Brock and Tyra Wells, from Washington State, and have been excited about their visit to Minute Man National Park.
“This is stuff we have heard about since we were children and to be here is incredible,” Tyra said.
But “we didn’t know it was coming when we left home two weeks ago,” Brock noted.
Concord officials permitted one of the town’s lots for parking, brought in restrooms and set up a tent to greet visitors.
“We knew visitors would come and did not know about the shutdown, not know there were restrooms, where busses could park, so we had to be here,” said Beth Williams, Concord’s tourism manager.
In Boston, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley held an emergency meeting with community leaders to discuss the shutdown’s impacts and the stagnant negotiations.
“They will just double down on their misinformation and propaganda about Democrats fighting for health care for quote-unquote illegals,” Pressley said.
Pressley said she is deeply concerned the shutdown won’t be resolved anytime soon.
“Oh, it will be devastating,” she said. “My team and I are already working diligently to meet people in the community where they are to answer outstanding questions.”
Lilly Simmons, the local president for the American Federation for Government Employees, she says her union represents about 300 employees who work for the Environmental Protection Agency who are all in limbo with limited information about their jobs during the shutdown.
“For many people, you can’t be without a paycheck that long, even if you have a working spouse. You usually don’t have enough to pay the bills by themselves,” Simmons explained.
The Wells say they are trying to make the best of their trip to Concord despite some of the closures.
“It’s not taking away from the greatness of the experience, I think,” Brock Wells said.
As they visit the historical site, they are confident the sacrifices made here to help create this country will help leaders navigate the latest conflict.
“I know the feeling, those patriots had a vision,” said Tyra Wells, while fighting back emotion.