WNY business: we couldn't have stayed in Buffalo without hiring refugees

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) - Apple Imprints on Bailey Avenue in Buffalo had plans to move the business to South Carolina, until they decided to try hiring refugees.

"We were having a very difficult time with labor pool manufacturing jobs," President Kevin Lipomi said. "We couldn't get reliable help."

http://www.wkbw.com/news/wny-busines...iring-refugees



I find this hard to believe

"We need this industry, we need manufacturing here," Lipomi said. "We can't always count on Americans to do the manufacturing any longer, we need other help. So this is vital to the growth of not just Buffalo, but New York State in general."


I think part of reason companies will look towards refugees are the tax incentives offered. I'm pretty sure that is the true reason.


http://www.jfssd.org/site/PageServer...gee_employment

Hiring a new American not only brings cultural diversity to the workplace, but offers many more benefits, including:
  • Tax incentives - By hiring a refugee or asylee, your company may be eligible to receive the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) up to $2,400 per new adult hire. The WOTC reduces an employer’s cost of doing business and requires little paperwork. The WOTC not only benefits employers but increases economic growth and productivity. For additional information about WOTC, visit the United States Department of Labor website.
They can pay refugees less and I'm going to assume the refugees based on income receive social services help. Could I be wrong?