More than 50 jobs have been lost with the departure of Baker Hughes at 3225 Lower Maple Chemung County Legislator Rodney Strange said Wednesday.
He said he had heard several months ago that this company, which works with the oil and gas industry to help deliver services and manage operating expenses, was leaving because of the downturn in the natural gas industry and the state’s fracking ban. Strange said he had talked with some Baker Hughes employees over the past month and a half, and they said they were waiting to be sent to other states where fracking is legal, Strange said.
“Maybe gas companies are no longer putting stock in the Southern Tier because the state government banned fracking. They don’t see a future in it here and are moving out,” Strange said.
“They’re gone from here. There are no trucks there. There’s no activity. There are no people,” said Strange, R-15th District. “I’m assuming they moved it to where the gas industry is still thriving.”
He blames the state for the loss of the jobs.
“They don’t realize the economic impact that the gas industry has had, especially on Chemung County, over the past five, six, seven years,” Strange said. “Back in 2010, we had over 100 companies in Chemung County working with the gas and oil industry. Since then, we’re down to a handful.”
A call to the local Baker Hughes location was referred to company spokeswoman Melanie Kania, who said late Wednesday afternoon that she was gathering information regarding the facility.