PENNSDALE - By the end of the year, a collaboration will create 400 jobs for the region.
Fishlips LLC, a partnership between local developers Brent M. Fish and Dan Klingerman, announced three new service company tenants at the Marcellus Energy Park Thursday evening.
FMC Technologies, GE Oil & Gas and Blackhawk, LLC signed agreements to construct multiple build-to-suit facilities for their operations.
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CRAIG S. McKIBBEN JR./Sun-Gazette
CEO and President of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce Vince Matteo kicks off an update on the Marcellus Energy Park held in a newly minted General Electric Gas & Oil building in Muncy Thursday evening. The Marcellus Energy Park is an expanding area to the west of the Muncy Industrial Park in Eastern Lycoming County. According to developer Brent Fish, two other businesses have signed deals to build in the park with still others anticipated.
Fish said when the projects scheduled to finish by the end of the year are completed, more than 400 jobs will be created.
"This area is suddenly on the map," Fish said.
Marcellus Energy Park, a collaboration between the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce and Fishlips LLC, is a 200-acre industrial park on Industrial Park Road, Muncy.
Fish said they kicked off the park a year and a half ago, and already have created several new projects with hundreds of jobs.
Vince Matteo, Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce president, said the land where the development is happening used to be a farm that Fishlips LLC purchased.
He said the collaboration is possible because of active businesses, senate and county leadership and regional spirit.
"The county and the community continues to grow because of the natural resource under our feet," Matteo said.
State Sen. E. Eugene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, said it is important to raise awareness about the importance of the gas industry in development.
"People tend to say I'm preaching to the choir," Yaw said. "Everyone here knows the good. In St. Marys, it's surprising how little they really know. We need to educate people. It's the most important thing. The choir needs to sing a little bit."
Yaw said the gas industry is just beginning in St. Marys and the residents still have a lot of questions about the gas industry.
The impact fee the governor announced is something Yaw said he could support because it allows the money to remain locally in the community. He said the Williamsport area is not part of the 73 percent of the population in 19 countries, but part of the 27 percent in the remaining 48 counties.
"It keeps money local," he said.
FMC Technologies, 320 Marcellus Drive, and GE Oil & Gas, 321 Marcellus Drive, facilities are near completion.
"I welcome General Electric," Yaw said. "I hope everyone profits."
Marcellus Energy Park hosts anchor tenant, Weatherford International, which occupies 22.7 acres. Weatherford International plans to build three more facilities behind their current site for additional service-lines. Future projects include Blackhawk Specialty Tools, LLC.
The initial development phase was completed in November 2010. The remaining area in the park expects to be completed by 2012.
Matteo said the growth at Marcellus Energy Park will bring good, family-sustaining jobs.
"It's the rebirth of Lycoming County," Matteo said.
At the announcement, donations were collected for flood relief. Fish estimated they collected between $3,000 to $4,000, with $2,000 coming from Blackhawk Specialty Tools.
