Businesses Form Coalition to Reach Drilling Industry in OH

Businesses in Muskingum County, Ohio are banding together to form a coalition to market themselves to the Utica Shale drilling industry that’s just getting started in the area.

Backed by the Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce, the new group, called the Muskingum Oil and Gas Coalition, currently has 28 member companies. They want to get to 130 members. Members pay $300 per year in dues to fund the new group.

The coalition is for business-to-business marketing. In other words, it’s for local businesses hoping to contract with oil and gas companies, not for businesses looking to connect with individual customers, said Tom Poorman, chamber president.

Among others, the coalition already includes an equipment rental company, construction companies, a uniform company, banks, attorneys and a restaurant.

"Any business that has interest in entering the oil and gas supply chain, this coalition could appeal to you," Poorman said. "There’s many different stops along the way, from exploration to delivering oil and gas to the nation."

"We’re slowly ramping it up as the money allows," Poorman said. "We want to make Muskingum County visible to that industry. … I think we have a solid marketing plan, and we’re going to learn about new opportunities as we go."*

*Zanesville (OH) Times Recorder (Jun 24, 2012) – Business owners unite to reach oil and gas industry