The Marcellus Shale could well be a boon for the region, but it will be small businesses that continue to drive the economy for rural Pennsylvania, according to testimony at a state House Commerce Committee public hearing Thursday at Lycoming College.
Government, business and economic leaders shared ideas on job creation and related issues during the forum hosted by state Rep. Rick Mirabito, D-Williamsport, and state Rep. Peter J. Daley, D-California.
Anna Griffith, co-founder of Discovery Machine in Williamsport, said more people need to embrace Lycoming County as a viable location for living, working and starting companies.
She said her own company has recently hired graduates of local colleges and many natives of the area would love to return to central Pennsylvania.
Terry Bossert, vice president of government affairs for Chief Oil & Gas, said his company has so far drilled 50 gas wells in the area, including 16 in Lycoming County.
He said the economic benefits from drilling go beyond well sites, however.
He said many people are being employed by the gas industry, including area residents.
Surveyors, excavators, welders, water treatment workers, environmental consultants, and lawyers are among those employed or needed in the industry.
Tracy Brundage, managing director for workforce and economic development for the Pennsylvania College of Technology, said the school is tailoring curriculums to the gas drilling.
She said the Marcellus Shale has the potential to have the single biggest economic impact of all time on the area.
Jason Fink, executive vice president, Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, said gas drilling is benefitting area motels, restaurants, real estate agents, and the trucking industry needed to haul materials such as piping.
Michael Lombardo, regional director of the Governor's northeast office, said it's important to address the infrastructure needs for business and industry.
"It's really something that we need to think more about," he said.
John Sider, deputy secretary of the state Department of Community and Economic Development, said matching the workforce to industry is an important aspect of economic development.
Barry Denk, director of the Center for Rural Development, said job creation means more than more employment. It also means quality of life issues that make a community attractive such as good health care, parks and recreation, and broadband connections.
"Job creation doesn't just happen in a vacuum," he said.
In addition, Denk called for nurturing local residents ready to enter the workforce after high school, rather than just academically and athletically gifted kids who go on to college.
At various times, Lycoming County received high marks for its geographical location and proximity to other markets, its local colleges and its family friendly environment.
However, Frank Pellegrino, executive vice president, Primus Technologies Corp., Williamsport said one of the obstacles for his customers is the Williamsport Regional Airport, which provides more air service for turbo prop planes than jets.
Statewide, the economy has been hurt by the loss of employment and slashing of job creation government programs, according to Jim Shillen, executive director, IMC Business Strategies and Solutions.
Spurring the economy means restoring some of those programs lost in this year's state budget, he said.
