Business and Natural Gas Leaders Gather for Web Site Launch

Feb. 14, 2011 - PRLog -- The Marcellus Shale industry is changing the economic landscape of southwestern Pennsylvania.  

This was the optimistic message delivered to 75 guests attending the official launch party of the marcellusshale.com on February 6, held at the Holiday Inn Express in Bentleyville, Pennsylvania.
The new web site will be an informational hub for the growing natural gas industry and the communities throughout southwestern PA.  
The event drew local business leaders, representatives from natural gas companies, educational instructors, and guests who wanted to learn more about the impact of Marcellus Shale.  Prior to dinner, guests enjoyed a reception that allowed for valuable networking.

Don Guerra, an engineer with the Westmoreland Water Authority, said it was a good opportunity for him to meet a cross section of key people involved in the gas industry.  “ I came to this event because I want to learn more about Marcellus Shale.  I also need to build up a network of contacts in the industry and this reception was the perfect venue.”

Hogfathers, a popular barbeque restaurant in Bentleyville, catered the party providing guests with delicious grilled steaks.  Following dinner, guests listened as two speakers delivered an optimistic outlook for new jobs and opportunities in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Cory Wilbanks, Director of Training for Western Area Career and Technology Center,  drew parallels between the 1849 California Gold Rush and the modern day equivalent of the Marcellus Shale industry.  He reminded the audience that it wasn’t just prospectors who struck gold, but more so the companies that provided services and materials they needed to do their job.  According to Wilbanks, the same potential exists for many local businesses, or entrepreneurs in and around southwestern Pennsylvania.

Joe Barone, creator and owner of the PAGasDirectory.com, illustrated how he was an example of someone who identified a need and provided a solution.  Barone created PAGasDirectory.com to be a bridge between natural gas workers and local business owners.  The success of his website underscored the new opportunities brought about because of the Marcellus Shale industry.

Finally, Tejas Gosai, owner of The Marcellus Shale.com, outlined his plan to make the new website an objective, informational source of news about the natural gas industry.  He introduced his staff of writers and designers.  Gosai gave the audience a quick tour of the new website acknowledging that although still in its infancy, he believes that his web resource will continue to grow through partnerships in both the natural gas and business communities.

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TheMarcellusShale.com is an objective news and informational website intended to keep the public updated with current Marcellus Shale news, happenings, forum discussions, and events primarily in and around Southwestern Pennsylvania.