BY STACI WILSON
After renting office space for a few years, Cabot subsidiary GasSearch Drilling Services opened the doors of its new permanent home to guests on Thursday, Nov. 3. The new GDS office is located near the Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation office, on Rt. 29, Dimock Twp.
GDS President David Wojahn said, “We’re real proud of this new facility. It’s been a long time coming for us.”
The company, which handles natural gas pad site development, water hauling, trucking and roustabouts, started working in the area shortly after Cabot set up here, Wojahn said.
He also told the gathering of local elected officials, residents, business associates, and media that GDS now employs over 90 people, most hired locally out of the Montrose area.
Rep Tina Pickett said she welcomed the company’s contributions to the community and the amount of investment GDS has made.
“Good jobs – we welcome them,” Pickett said. “And we’re happy to have you here and providing them.”
Wojahn said, “We’re glad to be here, too. We’re happy to be part of this new gas discovery.”
Pickett also spoke of the “ripple effect” created when a company sets up in the area that benefits other area businesses.
Cleveland Brothers Equipment, ofWilkes-Barre, is one of those companies feeling the ripple effect brought on by gas development.
Cleveland Bros. account manager Steve Simko said his company has been involved with GasSearch Drilling Services from day one.
The gas boom that happened at about the same time as the 2008 collapse, Simko said, couldn’t have come at a better time for his company.
Although GDS brought equipment with them fromWest Virginia, Wojohan said they found they needed to upgrade their equipment to turn a hillside into a drilling location.
Simko said Cleveland Bros. has now been able to hire additional service technicians to handle the workload and the company has hired back people who had been let go during the economic downturn.
Wojahn also used the open house event as an opportunity to speak about the company’s community involvement.
Jessup Twp. supervisor Dennis Bunnell said that recently a township roller was starting to slide over a bank and he thought to call GDS for help.
“Within 20 minutes they were there with a winch truck,” Bunnell said. “They are a big benefit to this area. People don’t see what happens behind the scenes in the community.”
Human Resource Manager Luanne White said GDS was focusing on community events.
She said that this year the company participated in several events, like the Memorial Day parade and the Energy Career Day held recently atElkLake.
GDS employees also worked with the Harford Fire Company during the recent flooding handing out water to affected residents.
White said the company is co-sponsoring a blood drive with Cabot on Nov. 11.,3-7 p.m., in the GDS conference room.
GDS also plans to participate in the upcoming Christmas Festival in Montrose, Dec. 2-4, and with Interfaith’s Christmas Bureau.
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