Address Hilton Head workforce problem — now

Something is very wrong on Hilton Head Island.

In just over a year, Pizza Hut, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Tuesday Morning, Sally Beauty Supply, Atlanta Bread Company, Sam’s Club and Outback have all closed their doors.

Other businesses have reduced their hours because they are having a hard time finding workers willing to make the trip onto the island from outlying communities, early in the morning and late at night. They often have to come in before their shift because of inflexible bus schedules.

Transportation services have always been a problem here, and it’s never been more obvious than in the last year. What’s being done by the Town of Hilton Head Island and the Chamber of Commerce to alleviate this situation?

Why not have businesses subsidize transportation, and increase frequency of service, to accommodate these hardworking people?

How about adding a minimal contribution at the time business licenses are renewed? How many licenses are renewed each year? Would $100 do it?

Closed restaurants and businesses make for a less desirable community when people look for an area to relocate. Closed businesses are not good. A less desirable community makes for a decrease in property values.

How long is it going to be before somebody tackles this problem? Why don’t town fathers and the chamber put their heads together and solve this situation before we lose any more?

This story was originally published August 22, 2017 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Address Hilton Head workforce problem — now."