Published in the Daily American, by Kecia Bal

October 31, 2013

In the old “shell plant,” a manufacturing space where World War II ammunition was produced in 1944, welders and laborers are hard at work again.

This time they’re forging industrial-sized fluid storage tanks and other supplies for the Marcellus Shale industry. After a close look at the manufacturing processes at Environmental Tank and Container, Gov. Tom Corbett called the energy industry the hope for Pennsylvania’s re-industrialization. Laborers in hard hats and work boots listened as Corbett addressed a group of business leaders and politicians.

“There are a lot of young faces in addition to experienced faces,” Corbett said, turning to the workers gathered behind him. “That’s a great picture for the future of Johnstown and Cambria County.”

Corbett toured the facility Thursday to celebrate the company’s growth, fueled in part by a $1 million Economic Growth Initiative grant awarded this year. The grant was used to expand and update manufacturing practices at the plant and will result in 100 new jobs at the company over the next five years, according to company officials.

It wasn’t Corbett’s first time there.

“Two years ago there would have been three or four people behind me,” he said. “This (growth) is what America is about. We need products like this. It’s part of the economy of Pennsylvania.”

Leaders at the plant are beginning to market to shale plays in other states, said Bill Polacek, CEO of both Environmental Tank and its parent company, JWF Industries. Two customers, both Pennsylvania companies, announced new purchasing orders — totaling more than $3.5 million in work — during the governor’s visit.

Polacek said he appreciates the governor’s support of energy-related fields, something he said he knows can be tricky.

“The treat is, if you do that (avoid heavily taxing the oil and gas industries in Pennsylvania), you bring jobs to families who live in the great state of Pennsylvania.”

(Kecia Bal, "Corbett tours Johnstown manufacturing plant," Daily American, 10/31/13)