As the president of an oil-supply company in Milwaukee, Scott Haag was at the epicenter of the general downturn and the auto-industry fallout.
Earlier this year Haag instituted a wage and hiring freeze, but he wanted to help his employees and bolster the local economy. So Haag offered all of his 75 Moore workers $2,000 to purchase a new car, or $1,000 to buy a used car. The only requirement was that the vehicle be purchased from a dealership that Moore Oil serves.
Haag's offer was good through May, and 10 people took advantage. Plus, the effort spread: Haag's dealer friends in Minneapolis, Denver and Austin implemented similar programs.
Since then, business has been flat, but Moore Oil was able to lift the wage freeze and give out bonuses.
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