CLEARFIELD – Although there wasn’t a quorum at Wednesday’s regular meeting, board members and administrative staff of the Clearfield County Recreation and Tourism Authority still heard of the plans for and challenges faced by Paul McCloskey, vice president of Energy Development at the Clearfield County Economic Development Corp.
In November 2010, the CCEDC announced its creation of an energy department with one, full-time staff person to serve as its leader. McCloskey officially filled the position on Jan. 24, bringing with him a background in business administration and passion for the oil and gas industry, according to prior GantDaily reports.
McCloskey will recruit energy-related companies to relocate into Clearfield County while providing options to those already here. In addition, he will serve as the liaison between the energy industry and local government and state permitting agencies.
“I’ll be the face of all things energy – biofuels, coal, oil and gas, electric and geothermal,” he said. He said the CCEDC currently plans to construct the Alliance Park Energy Complex, a 20,000-square foot facility that will house companies, which are a part of the unconventional gas market.
“We are trying to be proactive and welcome the oil and gas industry to our area. There are potential plans for a second facility if the initial one gets occupied.”
According to him, his greatest challenge has been spreading the word and getting it out to service companies in the unconventional gas industry. However, he recently received a business call from someone who was frustrated that Centre County hasn’t taken any initiative.
McCloskey pointed out that the oil and gas industry is prominent in the southwestern area and northern tier of Pennsylvania. Because of its central location between the two, Clearfield County becomes a “wonderful location” for service companies to relocate to.
At the present time, McCloskey said he and Jamie Straub, chief operations officer for the CCEDC, have explored developing a directory of local businesses for the gas- and oil-related company workers who have moved into the area.
Holly Komonczi, executive director of the CCRTA, has monitored the workers’ occupancy at local hotels and lodges. She said her hotel representatives have commented that many workers struggle to find local businesses, especially restaurants, open after 9 p.m.
McCloskey said that Bradford County produced and distributed 7,500 business directories locally there, and it was well-received by the oil and gas industry. However, his connection there wasn’t sure if they would do so again, he said.
“Most people just grab the local phonebook,” McCloskey said. Komonczi showed McCloskey the county’s travel planner, which is updated and distributed annually through her office. She said it would not only provide hotel and restaurant listings, but also “things to do while they’re here.”
McCloskey said he preferred for something focused strictly on the oil and gas industry with limited color and photographs. He said he wanted the “easiest” guide with subdivisions for lodging, restaurants, laundry facilities, etc. and contact information and locations for the same.
“But right now, we don’t have the answer for that. It’s just something that we’re exploring,” McCloskey said. Board member Tracey Mahan advised that phonebooks were fading out and suggested an electronic directory, which would be easier to change and update.
If the CCEDC pursued an electronic version, Mahan suggested that it comply with mobile Web site standards. Otherwise, if someone accessed the Web site from their mobile phone, it would take longer to access and load, she said.
“You’re going to see mobile phone usage (for online access) go through the roof over the next two years,” Mahan said. For now, Komonczi told McCloskey that the CCRTA had travel planners if he was interested in distributing those to oil and gas company workers.
Komonczi said her staff wants these people aware that there are things to do. Board member Wilson Fisher said most workers “grab a bite to eat, do laundry and hit the sack” and aren’t taking part in county recreation at these times.
He said it’s not until these workers are scheduled time off for periods of one or two weeks that the CCRTA board and staff must ask the question – “what are they doing?”
McCloskey agreed with Fisher, stating “when they’re working, they’re working.” However, he was aware that some are flown home to spend time with family on their week(s) off.
“It’s hard for them to be here. If you moved to Texas for work, think about it. Would you know what to do? We need to visit a well site and find out their needs. We need to talk to real-life gas workers,” McCloskey said.