Published in the Sun-Gazette, by Mike Reuther

March 15, 2014

Gov. Tom Corbett brought his campaign to Williamsport Friday with a rallying cry to create jobs, rein in spending and lower taxes.

The governor stopped at NuWeld, Inc., 2600 Reach Road, a local industry that is an example of how the natural gas industry has helped boost the economy and put people to work.

"Frankly, people around the world are looking at us because of our energy," Corbett told NuWeld workers and public officials who gathered inside the company's plant. "We are extremely attractive to business."

Corbett said the state has many advantages, including a good geographical location and hard-working people.

He said it's great to have seen growth at NuWeld, a company of more than 100 employees involved in the fabrication of pipelines for the gas industry as well as structural steel and nuclear components.

Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce President Vince Matteo threw his support behind the governor.

"I believe the governor is the best person to lead us into the future," he said.

Matteo said he was not speaking on behalf of the chamber, but as the newly appointed member of Energy Families for Corbett/Cawley, a group that promotes the economic benefits of the Corbett administration.

Matteo referred to Williamsport's high economic ranking in various studies.

Most recently, the Milken Institute revealed that the Williamsport Metropolitan Statistical Area is the top performing small city in Pennsylvania. Nationwide, it is the sixth best performing small city, according to the study.

Corbett said while the state is reaping the benefits of the natural gas industry, other important energy resources, including coal, nuclear, wind and solar, must be tapped as well.

"We need fiscal discipline," he said at one point. "We also need to have limited government to do what it's supposed to do."

He said the state employment figure has nearly been restored to pre-recession numbers.

He briefly cited some of the accomplishments during his administration which have included passage of a transportation funding bill and restructuring of the corporate net income tax.

He asked his audience if they were better off than they were five years ago.

Corbett, seeking election to his second term, acknowledged to the Sun-Gazette that he has not ranked well in statewide popularity polls among voters.

But he said the only poll that really matters is the one on election day.

Corbett faces Bob Guzzardi in the state's Republican primary.

The five Democrats running for governor are Robert McCord, Allyson Schwartz, Jack Wagner, Katie McGinty and Tom Wolf.

Democrat John Hanger announced this week he was withdrawing from the race.

(Mike Reuther, "Campaign trail leads to NuWeld," 3/15/14)