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Groups unite to form energy partnership
The announcement, which will be made formally tonight during a reception for participants in Saturday's Tri-County Oil & Gas Expo at Washington County Fairgrounds, will launch a national campaign to position the county as the premier location for businesses involved with energy.
Pat McCune, chief executive officer of Community Bank, who is chairman of the energy partnership, said the group includes elected officials, development organizations, financial institutions and energy companies.
"We have more than 50 energy-related companies located in Southpointe alone," said McCune, who also is chairman of the Southpointe CEO Association. "Whether a company is an energy producer, an equipment manufacturer or a service provider, Washington County is the ideal location because of the large concentration of such companies already here."
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McCune noted that Washington County is an ideal destination for all segments of the energy industry because of its excellent transportation infrastructure, including access to an international airport, its available developed and undeveloped business or commercial space, a large work force and affordable housing.
"Although the Marcellus Shale development has led the recent and remarkable growth in Washington County's energy scene," McCune said, "our longstanding involvement with coal and other related industries make this county a hub around which a lot of energy-related business is transacted. If you're a business that wants to participate in the energy sector, you really have to look hard at Washington County."
McCune acknowledged in releasing the announcement that other counties in the area may have activity in the energy industry, but said the local energy group wanted to be sure that Washington County wasn't eclipsed by other claims.
"Each county and Pittsburgh proper have many legitimate claims to be leaders in energy, but I want to fulfill my obligation to my primary market," McCune said. "I want to help create opportunities for our local people to do business with and get jobs" in the energy industry.
He added that he wants to ensure that energy endeavors here are undertaken "with a balance between development and responsible conduct.
"I want to make sure it's environmentally responsible, that roads are repaired and that strains on society with regard to housing and other issues are appropriately dealt with," he said.
As for promoting the county, McCune showed a series of print ads that have been developed for placement in national energy trade publications touting Washington County as the place for companies to do business.
He said the Washington County commissioners and state legislators have already committed $100,000 toward the campaign, adding that other founding members will be asked to make contributions, estimating that the ad campaign could eventually have more than $200,000.
Washington County Energy Partners is comprised of about two dozen organizations that include the Washington County commissioners, state Sen. J. Barry Stout, and state Reps. Tim Solobay and Jesse White.
Economic development groups include the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, Middle Monongahela Industrial Development Association, Washington County Council on Economic Development, Washington County Authority, Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency, the Redevelopment Authority of Washington County and the Southpointe CEO Association.
In addition to Consol, Range Resources and Columbia Gas, other area energy partners are Auma Actuators Inc., Horizon Properties, Community Bank, Millcraft Real Estate and the law firms of Bassi McCune & Vreeland and Peacock Keller & Ecker LLP.
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