Another factor that made hiring difficult was the $600 government stimulus checks that many workers received until the program expired earlier this month. “No one said it outright, but it’s our assumption that also was a factor,” Mr. Giampietro said. “People didn’t want to come to work because of the program,” said Mr. Grigor, the foreman. “Why make $1,000 working, when you can make the same money not working?”