How have small businesses been impacted by the natural gas industry? 

We spoke with Cory Sprout, Project Manager at RHL Companies, to unpack this question. In this time he shared with us all about his experience working and growing with a small, northeastern Pennsylvania business:  

RHL Companies started in 2005 as a small logging business with few employees. When the gas industry came to town, RHL was able to extend their business from residential logging to clearing and grubbing for other companies. With such high demand for their services, the company was able to grow quickly and now has over 50 employees across the region.  

Cory explains that while small businesses that work for the natural gas industry are able to expand, they also must make it a priority to do quality work in order to meet the safety and environmental standards that the natural gas companies set.  

In Cory’s experience, ratings are an important part of doing business with the natural gas industry. To continue getting work, companies need to follow all of the rules in order to ensure their workforce, safety, and environmental values are in line.   

With such high standards, companies have to find quality employees to put in the field. Especially with skilled trade positions in such high demand in Pennsylvania, Cory expresses that sometimes it can be difficult to find skilled workers.  

However, Cory commends RHL on their ability to offer competitive wages, benefits, and an understanding that “family comes first” in exchange for good operators. Cory himself was able to work his way up in the company and is now a project manager in charge of several teams and clients.  

 “If you’re willing to dedicate yourself and prove yourself there are opportunities here to grow and expand with a business.”