Natural gas continues to drive economic growth and job creation across Pennsylvania, and the greater Williamsport and Lycoming County area demonstrate the opportunities an abundance of energy can bring to a community, as business and elected leaders highlighted during the Marcellus Shale Coalition’s Business Energy Forum Tuesday.
“Natural gas is the workhorse of Pennsylvania’s economy, generating sustained revenue, jobs, and opportunity across the Commonwealth, including here in Lycoming County. Thanks to partners like the Chamber and with Penn College, we’re proud to advance skills training and better prepare students for local energy careers today and well into the future,” MSC President Dave Callahan told attendees.
The forum, hosted at Pennsylvania College of Technology (Penn College) and in partnership with the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, touted the benefits realized by Lycoming County – Pennsylvania’s 5th largest producing county – since the region began developing natural gas more than a decade ago. Job training programs, including at Penn College, have built a strong local energy workforce and – most importantly – are keeping talent in Pennsylvania.
“Penn College’s partnerships with the Marcellus Shale Coalition date back to the early days of exploration and development of this Appalachian Basin play,” College President Dr. Michael Reed said. “We partnered with the coalition to ramp up a workforce quickly, and many of our graduates are still employed at MSC member companies.”
And, “working hand in hand with the natural gas industry, we have seen tremendous growth in our student population,” Reed continued.
This growth has enabled the industry to contribute to the region’s economic prosperity, creating expanded opportunities for businesses to invest in the region.
“We truly appreciate all the industry has done for this area. Because of our access to natural gas, manufacturing is strong here in Lycoming County, and we’re excited natural gas found here gives us an edge to attract other industries,” said Jason Fink, President and CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber.
This economic growth is seen firsthand in the impact fee revenue that flows into Williamsport.
Impact fee revenue – which is generated by Pennsylvania’s tax on natural gas – has been a critical funding stream for county and municipal projects. Specific to the Northcentral Pennsylvania region, about $50 million has been distributed to area local governments this year alone, for essential emergency response, infrastructure, and other economic development projects.
Efforts including Muncy Creek’s Streambank Restoration and Protection Project and the Brownfields to Ballfields project in Lycoming County are examples of projects funded by natural gas-generated tax revenue.
“The Act 13 Impact Fee is probably the most important piece of legislation for rural Pennsylvania in my lifetime. The Impact Fee not only funds critical projects locally, but also a wide variety of important environmental projects throughout the state,” said guest speaker, State Senator Gene Yaw, who also chairs the PA Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee.
“The natural gas industry, along with Penn College, have been great partners in funding important projects in our communities, creating new jobs, and ensuring we have a well-trained, skilled workforce for careers in the energy sector,” Senator Yaw continued.
Read more about the event:
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Natural gas industry praised, defended at Marcellus Shale Coalition energy forum
Towanda Daily Review: Yaw speaks at Marcellus Shale Coalition’s 2023 Business Energy Forum
Energy forum held in Williamsport: Energy forum held in Williamsport
Pennsylvania Business Report: Pennsylvania Business Energy Forum highlights natural gas powered jobs, growth
