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Range Resources Holds Ribbon-Cutting For New Regional Headquarters

CANONSBURG (KDKA) -- With a snip of multiple scissors, elected officials and company executives cut the ribbon on Range Resources new headquarters building at Southpointe, Washington County.

"This building represents Range's commitment to the Marcellus Shale and to the region," said John Applegath, Range vice president at the ribbon-cutting. "We're here in a nice building that gives us a lot of growth room for the future."

Last winter, there was nothing on this spot. Built in less than one year, the new office building symbolizes Range Resource's fast expansion.

"One person office in 2007 -- we've now got over 400 employees," said Applegath. "We got a lot of growth ahead of us."

Washington County officials hailed the Marcellus Shale drilling company's local commitment.

"They didn't just talk the talk, they walked the talk. They got involved, they went out created jobs, created wealth, and that was good for Washington County," noted County Commissioner Larry Maggi.

"We are the envy of the state," added PA Sen. Tim Solobay. "We are the envy of the country as far as things going on here."

Range's new five-story, 180,000 square foot building has plenty of room for expansion.

"We may be one of the only, if the only, natural gas company that has all of its technical people under one roof and that is critical," said Range spokesman Matt Pitzarella.

And Range officials say what happens inside is as important as what happens outside.

"While most people think of the drilling rigs that you may or may not see, it's really the high tech work that takes place behind the scenes that brings all this gas to market," added Pitzarella.

While there are certainly plenty of critics of the Marcellus Shale industry, this event was all positive -- and a clear sign that, like it or not, Marcellus Shale drilling is here to stay.

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