MOUNDSVILLE – Operations are moving along for the marketing of West Virginia gas to the rest of the country.

7 News spoke with a number of people Saturday who say plans are in place to open a facility that will bring 40-50 jobs to Marshall County, by the end of next year, which is part of a project that will invest almost $1 billion in the Mountain State.

In Marshall County alone, nearly 40 to 50 jobs will be created in the next twelve months, spurring economic growth throughout the region.

Earlier this week, it was announced that a 110-mile pipeline will be constructed under the Monongahela River in Pennsylvania, but that pipeline will begin in the Mountain State, making it more easy to distribute West Virginia natural gas to the rest of the country.

“The volumes of gas that are being produced, there’s millions of cubic feet of gas being produced… Some of it is going to be shipped elsewhere. But our case in point, and our justification with all of the millions of gallons of gas being produced, is the reason for our ethane plant, as well in the area,” said Marshall County Commissioner Brian Schambach.

According to Chuck Penn of Dominion Gas, it’s part of a major three-part project, that will invest just under $1 billion in the state.

The Marshall County Natrium project is a $500 million investment in the county, while two other projects, totaling nearly another $500 million will help distribute natural gas locally and nationally.

Schambach says the county is working hard with Dominion to make sure local workers are the ones to get the jobs.

He said, “One of our first objectives with Dominion Gas is to have them to hire local workers. I know initially when they’re starting out they need some skilled workers from the south, but one of our goals, and we want Dominion to come and meet with us and tell us how they plan on hiring some of the local workers in Marshall County, as well.”

While it’s hard to tell just how many jobs will be created in the region in the next few years, one thing is for sure, the development of the Marcellus Shale will have a major economic impact here for decades to come.

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