This week marks the final shut down of the VH-71 Helicopter Program at Lockheed Martin in Owego.

600 employees were notified of lay-offs in July but continued to work, until now.

But as Action News Reporter Julianne Sweeney tells us, U-S lawmakers are working to determine if the program could launch again.

300 employees assigned to the VH-71 Helicopter Program at Lockheed Martin in Owego worked their last shift.

Another 300 will leave the company by the end of the week.

These 600 employees were given lay-off notices in July, after the Pentagon canceled the Presidential Helicopter replacement program.

Congressman Maurice Hinchey is fighting to restore Lockheed's contract.

"Get this project completed and put it into complete use...that would make perfect sense, and that's what we're trying to do." said Hinchey.

People living in Owego believe the contract belongs here.

"Hopefully something will happen to bring it back here because this is where it all started." said Doug Murray of Owego.

With 600 fewer jobs in Tioga County, some people have already seen signs of less activity.

"I have noticed less, less traffic, less people shopping." said Mickhel Beckford of Owego.

The Tioga County Chamber of Commerce does not believe there's a noticeable difference in spending now.

But, says that it doesn't mean it won't happen down the road.

U.S. House and Senate Defense Committees will meet to decide whether to resume Lockheed's contract.

Congressman Maurice Hinchey is pushing to restore 485-million dollars in funding.

"The ability to put this through and completing it is absolutely obvious and clear...it can happen very, very easily." said Hinchey.

Even if Congress votes to continue the VH-71 program, the White House can still veto the bill.

The House and Senate Defense Committees will meet sometime this week or next.

Congressman Hinchey says terminating it would mean a loss of more than 3-billion dollars.