Representatives of JCB dealer Stephenson Equipment met with U.S. Congressman Lou Barletta (R-Pa.) to discuss topics related to highway infrastructure and funding sources. Stephenson Equipment sells, rents and services highway building and road maintenance equipment, including JCB wheel loaders, excavators, backhoes and skid steer loaders. The company employs 140 individuals at its six locations throughout Pennsylvania and New York. Congressman Barletta, who has visited the company’s Harrisburg, Pa., headquarters before, requested the return visit with Stephenson President Dennis Heller, EVP and CEO Robert Criste, and Vice President and Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Branch Manager Dave Donati.
During the meeting, the group spent several hours discussing the highway bill, future sustainable highway funding ideas, Section 179/bonus depreciation legislation and Congressman Barletta’s desire to see that legislation passed before the end of 2015. The Stephenson team explained how the highway bill will affect them, as well as the impact a sustainable Highway Trust Fund would have on Stephenson Equipment and other local businesses.