NORFOLK, Va. — Democrats and Republicans remain bitterly divided as the government shutdown enters its first day. Economists warn Hampton Roads may be one of the first regions to feel the impacts.
"Anyone in Hampton Roads knows about the large military and shipbuilding population that we have," said Bob McNab, Chair of Economics at Old Dominion University. "If they are not deemed essential federal workers, then they will not immediately be receiving any paychecks."
According to McNab, the federal government makes up $50 million of Hampton Roads' overall economy. That's $4 out of every $10.
McNab said if the shutdown continues for an extended period of time, even non-federal government employees will feel the effects.
"If you operate a restaurant near a military base that caters to mili