Road, River, Rail, and Workforce –
Washington County Advantages

Washington County, Ohio, offers several key advantages for businesses. The region provides strategic access to major transportation routes, including rail, river, and highway systems, facilitating easy distribution to the East Coast markets. It is home to a skilled workforce, particularly in sectors such as plastics, polymers, and metals manufacturing. Additionally, the cost of living and operational expenses in the area are competitive, allowing businesses to thrive. Local and regional development organizations, like SeOPA and OhioSE, provide essential support for business development, site selection, and workforce training.

Shale Crescent USA Region

The Shale Crescent USA is a geographic region with a unique set of world-class assets. These assets along with an increase in regional natural gas production have created an unprecedented economic advantage for all energy-intensive businesses. According to a recent IHS Markit study, abundant low-cost natural gas and other logistical advantages have positioned the Shale Crescent USA as the most economic region for new and expanding petrochemical facilities.

The Shale Crescent USA is made up of the Marcellus and Utica shale-producing regions of Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. The region’s primary area of activity are the counties bordering the Ohio River.  Washington County sits at the heart of the region.

Energy Advantage:

In 2010, the Shale Crescent USA (OH, WV, and PA) produced 3% of U.S. natural gas. Today, the region produces almost 30% of U.S. natural gas. By 2040, the region is expected to be producing nearly 40% of total U.S. natural gas production. The abundance of energy has led to significant discounted natural gas prices both now and into the future for consumers within the region.

Other Advantages:

  • Water Access: The Ohio River provides an abundance of water for processing and transportation.

  • Proximity to Market: The Shale Crescent USA is within a day’s drive to over 50% of the North American Population/Markets.

  • Skilled Labor Force: The region has a qualified and efficient workforce with a history of industry-related skills.

Economic Advantage:

Abundant and low-cost natural gas and natural gas liquids have created significant economic advantages for all energy-intensive businesses. A recent IHS Markit study compared building a petrochemical facility on the Gulf Coast to building a petrochemical facility in the Shale Crescent USA. The study predicts that an ethylene project in the Shale Crescent USA region will produce a net present value (NPV in 2020) on EBITDA of $930 million over the life of the project, compared to an NPV of $217 million for a similar project on the US Gulf Coast. This represents an NPV cash flow advantage of $713 million for an investment in the Shale Crescent USA project versus a project on the US Gulf Coast. The NPV cash flow is over four times higher in the Shale Crescent USA project than in the US Gulf Coast project. Without considering the time value of money, the pre-tax cash flow of the Shale Crescent USA project from 2020 to 2040 amounts to $11.5 billion, compared to $7.9 billion for a similar Gulf Coast project, a pre-tax cash flow advantage of $3.6 billion.

For a more in-depth look at what the Shale Crescent Initiative entails and how you can benefit, watch this informative video from SCUSA president Jerry James.

Shale Crescent USA Organization

The Shale Crescent USA is a 501 c4 whose mission is to encourage economic growth in the region by attracting businesses that can benefit from the Shale Crescent USA region’s unique set of world-class assets. To learn more visit shalecrescentusa.com.