Dec 4, 2020 5 min read

Taking care of business is a multi-faceted responsibility for Washington County commissioners Diana Irey Vaughan, Larry Maggi and Nick Sherman. They have been elected to oversee a plethora of operations within the county’s borders, a stewardship that, for the better part of a year, has entailed dealing with a deadly virus.

The business of business is an integral part of their domain, and Irey Vaughan is concerned about what the COVID-19 pandemic has done to retail, dining, oil and gas, manufacturing and other industries – and may continue to do even after this plague is gone.

“It has been an extremely challenging year for businesses in Washington County,” said the longtime Republican commissioner and board chair. “Small businesses have been hit the hardest, but larger businesses were nearly crushed” during the spring shutdown by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.

The hospitality industry, composed primarily of restaurants and hotels, “has had an extremely difficult time,” Irey Vaughan added.

Extremely difficult, indeed. “These are unusual times” has become a hackneyed expression, but it endures as an appropriate expression as well. The virus has sickened and/or killed millions of people, compromised their lifestyles, kept them indoors and separated them from loved ones during the holidays.

The threat of lethal pathogens has changed the face of business, perhaps for good, as millions of employees have adapted to working virtually from home, just as their companies have adjusted to them being out of the office.

Irey Vaughan doesn’t have to leave her neighborhood to see palpable proof of how this outbreak has affected workers. Irey Vaughan resides in Southpointe, the sprawling mixed-use park off Interstate 79 in Cecil Township that, pre-COVID, was recognized primarily for its mix of businesses, corporations, homes and moving vehicles.

“You drive through (the park) and lots are bare,” she said. “More people are working at home, and I think many are wondering if a new work model will emerge when we come to the end of the pandemic. It will be a challenge to government and service entities, but with the economy of Washington County, a lot of businesses offer that flexibility.”

Jeff Kotula, president of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, is aware of the changes and challenges that have transpired, but believes the region will adapt.

“The pandemic has caused a fundamental shift in the way we do business as a county and country,” he said in an emailed statement. “Social distancing, mitigation efforts, work-from-home initiatives and the overall strain the virus has placed on our economy will continue to echo into 2021.

“Even with a vaccine rollout imminent, companies are rethinking their office space requirements, workplace needs and employee skill sets. However, I believe Washington County will be well positioned for this new economic reality as our rural/suburban location, natural distance from large urban areas and broad workplace options will be attractive to companies interested in locating or expanding (here).”

Despite the ominous omnipresence of the virus, Don Chappel is confident the state’s southwestern corner will navigate the virus and rebound. Chappel, executive director of Greene County Industrial Developments, is a longtime county resident with numerous business and industry contacts. 

“Overall,” he said, laughing mildly, “this will probably not be considered a great year. But from what I’ve seen and from talking to people, they seem to be holding their own.”

Energy, Chappel said, continues to have a significant presence in Greene and Washington, two of the most productive oil- and gas-producing counties in the state. And the coal industry, while diminished in the United States, continues to endure regionally.

Pennsylvania Mining Complex, which spans both counties, is the largest underground coal operation in North America. Consol Energy has an ambitious plan for the location: to construct a coal-fired power plant that would capture climate-warming emissions.

Cumberland Mine, which was in peril of closing if a buyer weren’t found, attracted one recently, Iron Senergy Holding, which agreed to purchase the Franklin Township facility and keep it operating. Cumberland has an estimated 700 employees.

“I don’t know if companies are drilling as many wells, but I see a lot of water trucks and gas company trucks on the road,” Chappel said. “The coal industry is hanging in there. It’s one of the things we’re known for.”

He said he could not speak authoritatively about retail in Greene, but said excitedly, “The grocery business has boomed this year. And we’re working on plans for a new business park.”

Greene County commissioner Blair Zimmerman said he expects “coal to be around 20 years at least,” but is concerned about how President-elect Joe Biden’s agenda on climate control may affect an industry that has supported families for decades.

“If he comes down hard on the coal industry, it could affect a couple of thousands of jobs at mines,” said Zimmerman, a fellow Democrat. “We’d be losing millions in taxes and that would devastate our county. We’re not asking for a handout, but if coal leaves, we would need a new industry to take its place.”

The commissioner added, however, that President Donald Trump “didn’t really help coal,” as he had promised.

Energy continues to energize Kotula, who points out that Washington County “will receive the largest share” of $200 million-plus in natural gas impact fees. “The county itself will get $6.6 million, the most among Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, and its municipalities will receive $11.5 million,” he said. “That combined $18.1 million ranks first in Pennsylvania.”

Yes, COVID-19 has changed business – and countless other things – across the globe over the past year. Some changes will remain in place, and certain operations will revert to pre-virus standards someday. The ability to adapt, according to Kotula, is a key. 

“We had to look inward for large parts of this year . . . to ensure our local companies – especially restaurants and small businesses – were receiving assistance and support to remain in business. This was the most difficult challenge we’ve confronted this year and its economic effects will last for the foreseeable future.”