Youngstown, OH Scores Another 100 Jobs from Gas Drilling

More jobs coming courtesy of shale gas drilling—this time in Youngstown, Ohio. Exterran Energy Solutions has just announced plans to build a new $13 million facility that when done, will provide 100+ new jobs earning an average $23 per hour.

Exterran Energy Solutions plans a 65,000-square-foot building at the Salt Springs Road industrial park, creating more than 100 jobs in the process. The company hopes to be open for business by the end of the year.

City officials are calling it the second-largest economic development project Youngstown has landed related to Marcellus and Utica shale formations. V&M Star Steel is the largest.

"It is enormous for our community," said Sarah Boyarko, manager of business development at the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce, which was first contacted by the company about the potential expansion seven months ago. "It’s a great opportunity — new employment opportunity. They’re an impressive company."

Exterran provides equipment and services for companies involved in oil and gas production.

"We focus on providing total solutions for oil and gas after the wellhead," said Sean Clawges, director of global manufacturing expansion. "After the well is drilled, we provide the solutions to treat, to dehydrate, to do any of the different processing and treating of oil and gas … so that it can be a usable commodity."

The company’s new payroll in Youngstown is expected to be about $4.9 million, with 103 workers earning an average hourly wage of $23. Many of the new positions (about 65) will be welders, Clawges told the Tax Credit Authority.

*Alliance (OH) The Review (Feb 28, 2012) – Houston company plans to build $13M facility in Youngstown