Houston visit aims at shale investment

Staff report

youngstown

Representatives from the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber spent three days this week in Houston as part of an effort to attract shale-related investment to the Mahoning Valley.

The Chamber had 13 meetings including with several oil and gas companies in manufacturing, financial services, am global oil field service company, a large developer of mid-stream processing systems, a law firm for the energy industry, a consultant that assists companies with API certifications for the shale supply chain and the Canadian Government’s office of the Trade Commissioner for Energy.

Sarah Boyarko, vice president of economic development, business retention and expansion, said in statement the trip helped the chamber to access decision makers at the Houston businesses.

“They appreciated us coming to Houston so they can better understand what they need to do to make sound and profitable investments in the Utica and Marcellus plays,” she said. “Likewise, they went out of their way to inform us of other opportunities that they see the Mahoning Valley benefitting from. Our list of follow-up from this trip is extensive.”

Eric Planey, vice president of international business attraction, said in a statement the trip was also a chance to promote Valley companies that have the ability to supply shale-related industries.

“We also are coming back to the area armed with more information on how to grow the Valley’s recognition as being the supply chain hub for the Utica and Marcellus plays,” he said.