An editorial from The Exponent Telegram
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — By now, most people know that the Marcellus Shale boom has had a major impact on North Central West Virginia and the state as a whole.
One only needs to look at the influx of workers, the buildings and pipelines being built and the downstream economic development to understand that impact and the potential for even more.
The jobs created in the oil and gas industry number in the thousands. And with an average wage of $78,000 a year, these jobs have significant impact on the quality of life for West Virginians.
And when you consider the trickle-down effect with more hotels, restaurants and other areas of retail, the jobs supported by the industry can’t be discounted.
With a cracker plant, which separates wet and dry gas elements and distributes to industries accordingly, planned for Wood County, the potential for plastics and other forms of manufacturing plants to sprout up in the region is greatly enhanced.
And those types of plants mean jobs in the hundreds, if not thousands.
For its continued positive impact on the economy, The Exponent Telegram Editorial Board has selected the Marcellus Shale boom as the Success Story of the Year…
