Eyewitness News Special Report: Billtown Boom
By: Brittany Sweeney
Updated: November 13, 2012
Williamsport, Lycoming County-The natural gas industry moved into Williamsport a few years ago and brought along jobs.
"I've seen a lot of job growth. I have seen a a lot of my friends move home that necessarily wouldn't have to have good jobs or have been working, so I think that's been very beneficial to the area." said Emilie Pearson, a Stallion Field Representative.
Emilie pearson has the demand for natural gas to thank for her job at Stallion Oilfield Services.
But it's not only bringing industry jobs. Other opportunities are available in other markets as well.
"It helps some people and hurts some people. We have kept our rents down in some of the other apartments. This building was designed specifically for the increase in rents and high end for the gas people.." said Charles Imbro, a Williamsport Business Owner
"I think it's helping in someways as far as bringing more business to local stores or restaurants and stuff like that, but I think it hurts in some ways for some that are long term stay that are looking for houses and apartments which is taking the cost up higher for lower income people who can't afford it too much anymore." added Joanna Joiner of Williamsport.
The gas employees need a place to stay and eat while they are here and as a result new hotels and restaurants are changing the landscape of downtown.
"Williamsport, Lycoming County, and the Metropolitan statistical area was the 6th fastest growing labor wage rate in the country in 2011.". noted Jason Fink, Executive Vice President of the Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.
"So, business is booming in Billtown. More hotels are popping up like this extended stay hotel, and more restaurants are coming to town, but is this good for the locals who have been here for years?"
Stallion began with out of state workers but as the company grew so did the amount of locals hired.
"I think having locals that know the area know the climate especially because we had some people from out of town that didn't know how to drive in snow. Things like that are kind of funny, but i can count the people who aren't from here on one hand." added Pearson.
"I've seen a lot of job growth. I have seen a a lot of my friends move home that necessarily wouldn't have to have good jobs or have been working, so I think that's been very beneficial to the area." said Emilie Pearson, a Stallion Field Representative.
Emilie pearson has the demand for natural gas to thank for her job at Stallion Oilfield Services.
But it's not only bringing industry jobs. Other opportunities are available in other markets as well.
"It helps some people and hurts some people. We have kept our rents down in some of the other apartments. This building was designed specifically for the increase in rents and high end for the gas people.." said Charles Imbro, a Williamsport Business Owner
"I think it's helping in someways as far as bringing more business to local stores or restaurants and stuff like that, but I think it hurts in some ways for some that are long term stay that are looking for houses and apartments which is taking the cost up higher for lower income people who can't afford it too much anymore." added Joanna Joiner of Williamsport.
The gas employees need a place to stay and eat while they are here and as a result new hotels and restaurants are changing the landscape of downtown.
"Williamsport, Lycoming County, and the Metropolitan statistical area was the 6th fastest growing labor wage rate in the country in 2011.". noted Jason Fink, Executive Vice President of the Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.
"So, business is booming in Billtown. More hotels are popping up like this extended stay hotel, and more restaurants are coming to town, but is this good for the locals who have been here for years?"
Stallion began with out of state workers but as the company grew so did the amount of locals hired.
"I think having locals that know the area know the climate especially because we had some people from out of town that didn't know how to drive in snow. Things like that are kind of funny, but i can count the people who aren't from here on one hand." added Pearson.
