NORWICH – A Preston manufacturing entrepreneur could be given the helm to navigate what he says are the tremendous economic development opportunities for Chenango County with regards to natural gas production.
Last week, the Planning and Economic Development Committee unanimously appointed Steven Palmatier as a consultant. The committee’s action will be offered for consideration by the full board of supervisors in August.
Committee Chairperson Linda Natoli said Palmatier, who would report directly to the committee and work from an office at Commerce Chenango, was recommended by members of the Chenango County Natural Gas Committee in conjuction with Chenango County Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard B. Decker, who approved of the appointment.
“A group of us, we asked ourselves, ‘Would we be ready if natural gas phenomena were to hit Chenango County?’ We decided we weren’t ready and needed a consultant to identify the potential jobs that could be an offshoot of this,” said Natoli.
The natural gas committee and members of the Chenango County Planning Board have been requesting economic development leadership over the burgeoning natural gas industry here for many months. Leasing, drilling and pipeline development has become a reality in many parts of the county, particularly in the towns of Plymouth and Smyrna where Norse Energy, Inc. of Norway is already producing natural gas through its pipelines to the Dominion in northern New York.
Commerce Chenango has been in contact with Norse executives on behalf of the county to identify potential jobs, service, lodging and training needs, President Maureen Carpenter reported to officials this week. She said the agency is posed to assist with grant applications to Empire State Development on behalf of natural gas development.
“We are ready to serve in this capacity ... if needed and maintain steady contact with our legislators and regional economic development contacts to keep them informed of the progress in this area,” stated Carpenter in her report.
However, Natoli said Palmatier was also needed to help bridge the gap between Commerce Chenango and county government.
“We need someone making contacts for us and selling Chenango County for us,” Natoli said.
Palmatier brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, according to New Berlin Supervisor Ross Iannello and other town leaders who have been following the new and rapidly expanding industry here. He has 30 years of machining and manufacturing experience and is a member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the Independent Oil and Gas Association, the Chenango County Farm Bureau, the New York State Forest Owners Association, Commerce Chenango’s Governmental Affairs Committee and a founding member of the Chenango County Blues Association.
Iannello, who serves on planning and natural gas committees, said it was time for Chenango County “to get out in front of the (natural gas) industry because once it’s here, it’s too late.”
“Steve brings us about 90 percent of the information we learn at our gas meetings,” he said.
Town of Columbus Supervisor George G. Coates, who has been adamant about safeguarding the county from the potential environmental pitfalls associated with drilling, said he fully supported Palmatier’s appointment to the post.
“This can be a great thing for Chenango County. We are obviously worried about our water and other environmental issues, but, as I say, there are always thorns in the rose bush, but this is not a thorn bush without roses.”
A well owner himself, Palmatier has worked closely with Norse Energy, Inc. since 2007.
“We are conscious that he has a well,” Natoli told the committee, “but that can be very positive for all of us. He has a lot riding on the success of natural gas here. He knows what’s he’s doing and has a vested interest in implementing new business opportunities that will benefit the entire county.”
Future well development and Norse’s successful completion of a pipeline traversing the county south to the Millennium in Broome County would require a myriad of supporting business and jobs, said Palmatier, such as well services companies, pipeline suppliers and warehousing opportunities for water tanks and drilling equipment.
“I would like to locate these things here,” he said.
“When this economy picks up, and oil and gas are very cyclical, now is the time to be talking to them, because when things get busy, they (gas companies) grab the first spot they can see.”
The Bainbridge/Afton areas in the southeastern portion of the county stand to gain the most commerce due to the proximity to I-88 and nearby landowner coalitions who have already leased large tracks of land to gas companies for the right to drill into the abundant Marcellus Shale.
Among other ideas, Palmatier said he would also encourage the establishment of a program at SUNY Morrisville’s Norwich campus to prepare students to work in the industry.