Another local business - this one receiving a boost from the recent gas and oil drilling boom - will soon establish a new site for operations in Belmont County's Fox Commerce Park.
Sue Douglass, executive director of the Belmont County Department of Development/Community Improvement Corp., said three lots in Fox Commerce Park are being transferred to Chuck Bell of Extreme Contracting LLC. Bell has 10 years of experience in private and commercial construction locally, Douglass said, noting the St. Clairsville-area business is forming an additional company component to provide oil and gas well sound barriers, pipes and fittings and consulting services to companies coming to the area in connection with the oil and gas drilling industry.
"This is just one example of a local business that is interacting successfully with incoming businesses," Douglass said.
In addition to the growing business with his established company, Bell has been providing consulting services locally for oil and gas industry companies over the past two years. The expansion of the business into the Fox Commerce Park will bring two new buildings that will be constructed on 9 acres of lands on the three lots. He is expected to begin construction immediately, Douglass told commissioners Wednesday during the board's regular weekly meeting.
The style of the buildings will be "industrial chic" like the rest of the facilities in the park, according to Douglass, who added that Bell estimates that initially there will be 10-15 new employees hired for the new site.
"Working through this business plan with Mr. Bell was a positive experience and a validation of the real opportunities available to local business operators," said Douglass. "Chuck was professional and skillful in clarifying his plan, which enabled the CIC's administrative role in presenting this proposal to the commissioners to be very efficient."
Attorney Richard Myser joined Douglass during Wednesday's announcement and requested that commissioners sign the general warranty deed for the transfer of Lots No. 14, 15 and 16 in Fox Commerce Park to the CIC for sale to Bell, who could not attend the meeting.
"We all appreciate the approval of the commissioners, which strengthens their support of local business growth interacting with the influx of oil and gas businesses," said Douglass.
Commissioner Chuck Probst said he was familiar with Bell and Extreme Contracting LLC, describing the business as an "impressive" local company that exemplifies how local firms can seize opportunities and benefit from the recent local surge of oil and gas production.
"They're really movers and shakers," Probst said of Extreme Contracting. "They'll do very well there."
Commissioner Matt Coffland added that it seems like every week, a new business plants roots in Belmont County as part of the gas and oil boom.
Fox Commerce Park will have 14 business locations in operation within its boundaries by the end of this summer, filling nearly 100 acres of the original 125 acres.
