On a breezy spring afternoon in Zanesville, Halliburton held their groundbreaking ceremony, marking an official return to the state. A culmination of months of preparation to bring their facilities back to Ohio, the event was attended by over 90 local business leaders and elected officials encouraged by a move that signifies the beginning of great things to come to Muskingum County.  To mark the occasion Governor Kasich stopped by to help Halliburton Senior Vice President Ron Shuman break ground on the future 135,000 square foot facility.

Mr. Shuman noted the facility will bring over 300 jobs to the community.  This is great news for Zanesville and Muskingum County -a much needed shot in the arm for the region.  These jobs will not only benefit those seeking employment opportunities in Muskingum County, but will also benefit the residents in neighboring Guernsey and Coshocton counties as well. These are exciting opportunities, available to us thanks to the development of the Utica Shale.

We have been in Ohio in excess of 50 years, but we made a huge investment into this property at the port authority facility.  We’ll have an excess of 300 jobs.  We are going to bring in a cementing plant first followed by fluids and lab testing capabilities. And we are excited about being here. – Ron Shuman

To open the event Mr. Shuman recognized the rich history Halliburton has in the Zanesville area.  Halliburton held a base of operations in Muskingum County for over 50 years. However, Halliburton’s connections to the area run deeper than just this facility.  Former Chairman and CEO Al Baker, who was in attendance for the groundbreaking, was born and raised in Zanesville.

Following the Halliburton presentations Governor Kasich recognized the importance of shale development in Ohio and re-inforced how important Halliburton’s announcement is to Zanesville.

I don’t think I have ever heard anybody so aggressively pitch jobs.  Its fantastic wasn’t it.  If you don’t have a job, come to Halliburton.  If you want to have a good career, come to Halliburton, go on our website.  If you are in college and want to figure out what to do, come to Halliburton.  Ron that’s fantastic and what makes us so pleased.  The only thing I want to correct is it’s not 300 jobs, it’s 300 families. I think more or less right?  Maybe 290 families.  You know this is a great opportunity.  Energy development in our state is a great opportunity and I am happy Halliburton is here. – Governor John Kasich

Zanesville Muskingum County Port Authority Executive Director Mike Jacoby also emphasized how important this development is to Zanesville.  The Port Authority worked tirelessly with Jobs Ohio, the Muskingum County Commissioners and the Jobs Ready Site program to bring this project to reality.

We’re thrilled to have them here. We’re thrilled to see them make quick progress on developing the site.  This is a site we had prepared to a shovel ready state, spent a lot of money to develop it and Halliburton is paying a market rate for the property.  They are going to pay good wages for their employees.  And with the proceeds of the sale we are going to be able to develop another site.  And it just really the beginning, I think, of some really good times in Muskingum County.  -Mike Jacoby

Eastpointe Business Park was the first Jobs Ready site to be developed in Ohio.  Dave Mustine, General Manager of Energy for JobsOhio, sees this development as a great collaboration between local and state governments to usher in business for the region.

It’s really important because Halliburton needed to move fast to serve their clients. So having a jobs ready site, which involved an investment of about $4 million from the state and I think another $2-3 million from here in the local area, really made the difference for Halliburton’s choice to choose here in the Zanesville and Muskingum County.  It’s a great day and another positive step for Utica development and we’re looking for even better things in the future. – Dave Mustine

The 178 acre facility will house a full-service center supporting eight or more of Halliburton’s business lines that will be used in the ongoing development of the Utica Shale.  The site is expected to be completed by early 2013 and  Halliburton has already hired over 100 Ohio residents since April.

But for those who are looking for employment, Halliburton is still searching for field operators, field engineers, diesel mechanics, material handlers, and some management and administrative support functions.  Interested candidates can go to www.gohalliburton.com to view job openings.

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