Columbiana chamber members told to get ready for shale boom

Columbiana chamber members told to get ready for shale boom

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While it’s too early to know what the shale boom will bring to Columbiana County there are preparations that can be made.

Todd Alexander, vice president of the East Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, spoke this morning to members of the Columbiana Chamber of Commerce about what he learned on a trip to central Pennsylvania to explore how businesses have developed around gas drilling. In the trip he went to Lock Haven, Williamsport and Towanda. These three communities are at different levels of shale development.

“Things are going to come fairly quickly. You want to have a plan,” Alexander said.

Companies should not immediately purchase a lot of materials, because it might not be worth anything by the time the shale play becomes really active, he said. The key is having knowledge of suppliers and how long it will take to get items delivered.

“These companies have very specific needs. You won’t get very many chances if you tell them no,” Alexander said.