More Marcellus & Utica Shale Jobs Coming to Youngstown, OH

The good economic news keeps coming in for the Marcellus and Utica Shales. If approvals come (as expected) from the city of Youngstown, Ohio, Exterran Energy Solutions will build a new $13 million manufacturing facility in the city in 2012. Exterran manufactures parts used in compressors and compressor stations used in the production and transportation of natural gas from shale drilling. The new plant could provide as many as 200 new jobs in the next several years.

Officials have confirmed that Houston, Texas-based Exterran Energy Solutions wants to build a $13 million manufacturing facility and office building on about 20 acres in the Salt Springs Road Industrial Park on the city’s West Side. The company makes and services equipment for the oil and gas industry and officials said the location, relative to those projected Marcellus and Utica formations, makes the spot ideal.

"In our conversations with Exterran, basically they draw a circumference around the areas of activity and it makes business sense for them to locate there so they can provide their product in a timely fashion. And it makes their operations move seamlessly," said Youngstown Economic Development Director T. Sharon Woodberry.

Providing City Council approves the development package on Wednesday and the state OKs a separate incentive deal, construction could begin in February and take about a year or so to complete. Part of the city’s agreement would include a 10-year property tax abatement as well language to turn over the land to Exterran free of charge.

Although the company is committed to hiring just over 100 employees by the summer of 2015, local economic development officials believe that figure could be closer to 200 as the project moves forward.

*WYTV 33 ABC News (Dec 20, 2011) – $13M Plant, 100 New Shale Jobs in the Works