Gov. Tom Wolf Thursday announced Xpress Natural Gas, LLC will construct a commercial compressed natural gas fueling station in Susquehanna County and create 88 new, high-wage jobs.

“Pennsylvania’s abundant natural resources and dedicated workforce have been, and will continue to be, major factors in attracting new business,” said Gov. Wolf. “We welcome businesses like Xpress Natural Gas that recognize the advantages that can only be found in Pennsylvania, and we extend our gratitude for the jobs they are creating and the ongoing economic stimulus that this project will provide.”

Designed to daily fuel up to 100 trailers that the company uses to deliver compressed natural gas to customers across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, XNG will construct a 130,000-square-foot fueling station on 20 acres of land in Forest Lake Township, Susquehanna County.

The company will invest $18,620,000 in this first phase, which includes the land purchase and construction and infrastructure costs for the station. XNG has committed to the creation of 88 new, full-time jobs over the next three years. Employee hiring has commenced.

“We are sincerely appreciative of the hard work and support from the Governor’s office and so many Pennsylvania state agencies. Their combined efforts to advance our project have put us in the position to make this investment and to create so many jobs, so quickly,” said John Nahill, CEO of Xpress Natural Gas. “We are excited to take advantage of the skilled workforce in Susquehanna County to grow our business.”

XNG received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development that includes $176,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits to be distributed upon creation of the new jobs and $11,050 in WEDnetPA funding for employee training.

The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, an experienced group of economic development professionals who report directly to the governor and work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania, in collaboration with the Central Bradford Progress Authority.

“We are very excited and supportive of Xpress Natural Gas’s business development in Susquehanna County. The company represents the vertical integration of the prolific Marcellus Shale natural gas resource in Northeast Pennsylvania,” said Anthony Ventello, executive director of the Central Bradford Progress Authority. “The investment being made by Xpress Natural Gas in a compressed natural gas terminal and the jobs it will create along the Route 81 corridor creates a virtual pipeline to move low-cost, clean burning natural gas throughout the region and beyond. This value-added effort will both stimulate development and lead to economic benefit in our region.”

Xpress Natural Gas, LLC provides rapid and reliable delivery of compressed natural gas and liquid natural gas to customers throughout the United States and eastern Canada through its network of virtual pipelines.

XNG provides commercial, industrial, and institutional customers the ability to lower their energy costs and dramatically reduce their environmental impact using natural gas. The company also offers a range of services to gas utilities to improve reliability and expand their franchise area with trucked gas solutions.

Last year, DCED approved nearly $1.1 billion in low-interest loans, tax credits, and grants for projects across the Commonwealth and secured private sector commitments for the creation and retention of more than 245,000 full-time jobs.

[Posted: Jan. 19, 2017]

1/23/2017