Williamsport: An Energy Boom Town
Mary Schaper
Posted July 29, 2013
Below is the first in a series of videos from Williamsport, Pa., where shale development through hydraulic fracturing technologies is bringing benefits to families and to the community. In the first, local business owners talk about the economic boost that the development of energy from shale is bringing to Pennsylvania:
Blair and Doreen Strouse, the owners of Fox Hollow Construction have seen their business grow from a sole proprietorship to 23 employees thanks to capital gains from Marcellus shale investments. Doreen:
“I did a comparison and it was close to a 1000 percent increase from 2010 to 2011. We keep increasing our revenue every year because of our expansion and our growth.”
Vince Matteo, President and CEO of the Williamsport Lycoming Chamber of Commerce notes that until six years ago, Lycoming county never enjoyed a great surge in economic development.
“We see 30 to 40 years of gas development continuing in the area … providing jobs and economic growth to this community. Which is exactly what we’re looking for.”
About The Author
Mary Schaper is a Digital Communications Manager for the American Petroleum Institute. She previously worked on Capitol Hill for the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee as Digital Director and for Senator Lisa Murkowski. Before coming to D.C., she spearheaded digital strategy for Murkowski's successful Senate write-in campaign in 2010. Schaper enjoys traveling and taking in the local culture alongside her husband, their son and loyal springer spaniel.