ABC27 WHTM 'Boomtown, Pa." Williamsport benefiting from Marcellus Shale drilling

'Boomtown, Pa." Williamsport benefiting from Marcellus Shale drilling

Known as the place where Little League dreams come true, Williamsport, PA now boasts a big league industry with an economy climbing faster than anybody could've dreamed.

Certainly not Jason Fink, the vice president of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce,

"We've not really experienced this in more than a generation," said Fink.

Dubbed "Boomtown" by many, Williamsport has become the fastest growing economy in Pennsylvania.  The U.S. Department of Labor statistics show it is the 7th fastest metro-area nationwide.

All thanks to the Marcellus Shale drilling. The industry is responsible for a plethora of direct and indirect jobs according to Pennsylvania College of Technology administrator, Larry Michael.

"Depending on which report you look at and which projections and researchers you listen to, those numbers are upwards of 150-thousand plus for the state of Pennsylvania," said Michel. 

Fink explained the Williamsport (MSA) civilian workforce was about 58,000 people in 2007. Now, it's more than 60,000 strong. And those who had natural gas industry jobs got fat raises.

"Somebody who was making 12 to 15 dollars an hour is commanding anywhere to 20 to 25 dollars an hour...with excellent benefits and can be able to pickup a job wherever they want to," said Fink.

Linda Van Der Pool with CareerLink in Williamsport said they're bombarded with hire requests from both industry companies and small business owners.

"As people moved into natural gas jobs, that leaves openings in the positions that they had," said Van Der Pool. "It's a win-win for everybody."

With one look, you can see progress. New hotels popped up on the city skyline while old ones continue expanding. Housing is in such demand that home prices have doubled, according to realtors.

But some fear rocketing rental rates will hurt low-income families -just one example of ‘gloom' in the ‘boom'. However, new retailers and restaurants have created quite a buzz around town. 

"Everybody was all excited, ya know because there's a Cracker Barrel now," said Van Der Pool. Little things like that."

The future is drastically changing. But, if you ask people in the area: What is Williamsport's identity – drilling or [baseball] diamonds?

"There's nothing that beats... what happens worldwide when folks pickup a baseball bat and think of Little League baseball," said Fink.