In a recent report, the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics determined that Washington County, Pennsylvania, had the third highest percentage of employment growth in the entire country.

The Bureau determined that in the period between March 2010 and March 2011, Washington County's employment growth was 4.3%. Only two other counties in the U.S. —Elkhart County in Indiana and Ottawa County in Michigan—had higher employment growth rates. Washington County, south of Pittsburgh, is at the center of the Marcellus shale play.

The significant increase in employment growth is due to the development of the Marcellus, according to Barron P. McCune Jr., co-chairman of the Washington County Energy Partners.

"We have every reason to feel energized about Washington County's future as we are at the epicenter of Pennsylvania's natural gas development. The county was the home to the first Marcellus shale well and the first horizontal well. We have one of the highest rates of drilling activity and production in the state. With an abundant supply of these natural resources, our county is attracting energy companies every day and this means jobs for our residents."

According to McCune, more than 50 energy and energy-related companies have located offices and operations in Southpointe, a mixed-use business park in Washington County.

"Companies such as Consol Energy, one of the nation's largest producers of natural resources, have their world headquarters in the park and Range Resources, the first company to test modern drilling and completion techniques in the Marcellus shale, will expand on its already significant presence when it opens its new headquarters in Southpointe later this year. In addition, energy and energy-related companies such as Chesapeake Energy, Rice Energy, UniversalPegasus, Select Energy, Steptoe & Johnson and others have established operations or expanded across our county," said McCune.

Jeff M. Kotula, president of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, agrees. "While the natural gas companies are creating jobs and investment, we should not forget the positive secondary effects of the energy industry on our local economy. They also bring new opportunities for local businesses and residents. Many local industrial suppliers, manufacturers, restaurants, hotels, shops and services in our county are all experiencing an increase in business because of the energy industry. The natural gas industry has created an 'economy of shale' that not only provides jobs and economic benefits for those in the energy industry itself, but also for local businesses, services and residents that are experiencing new growth by supporting the industry. All those new jobs are why Washington County is third in the nation in percentage of employment growth, has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the southwestern Pennsylvania region and why we are now considered the energy capital of the east."

The Washington County Energy Partners is a collaboration of leading private companies, elected officials and economic development organizations promoting and supporting the energy industry in Washington County.

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