Photos Provided Gulfport Energy and Ohio Oil and Gas Association representatives present a $50,000 check to Monroe County Engineer Amy Zwick. Pictured from left are Robert Brundrett of the Ohio Oil and Gas Association; Randall Wehler, representative of Gulfport Energy; Bob Whipp, senior road engineer at Gulfport Energy; Zwick; and Brian Kress, highway supervisor for Monroe County.

BEALLSVILLE –Gulfport Energy recently donated $50,000 to help repair Monroe County Road 38, Headley Ridge Road, in Beallsville.

The county has been working to repair the roadway since 2019 when a landslide damaged an approximately 200-foot section of the pavement. Monroe County Engineer Amy Zwick said the county was denied Federal Emergency Management Agency funding for the area, along with numerous other locations, meaning the county incurred thousands of dollars in expenses to repair the damage themselves.

In an effort to repair the road and prevent future damage from slides, Zwick said she reached out to local oil and gas operators for assistance with the repairs. She said some of the landslides’ damage to the roads could affect the companies’ ability to operate and travel throughout the county, making them good potential partners in the endeavor.

In response, Gulfport officials agreed to donate $50,000 toward the Headley Ridge Road repair, or another if needed.

Bob Whipp, senior road engineer at Gulfport Energy, said the company utilizes the roadway and wanted to help with its rehabilitation.

“Amy (Zwick) is a very good engineer and is really interested in the roads and infrastructure, and it was a good time to partner with her on some improvements,” he said. “It’s on one of the roads we use. We had upgraded the road before this slide came in. We’re only in production now, so she got some money to repair it there and we wanted to help add to it so she can do more than she got money for.”

Whipp added that the donation was a good opportunity for the company to give back to the residents, community and county where it works.

Zwick said the energy company has spent more than $20 million on road improvements and upgrades in the county since 2014. Additionally, oil and gas operators have contributed over $30 million in base repairs, paving, culvert replacements and more since 2017 in Monroe County alone.

“On behalf of the Monroe County Engineer’s Office and Highway Department, I would like to thank Gulfport and all of the other oil and gas operators in Monroe County for their continued efforts and partnering to improve Monroe County,” she said.

Robert Brundrett, president of the Ohio Oil and Gas Association, commended Gulfport and the oil and gas industry for their contributions to the local communities.

“I think what Gulfport did is just another great example of the industry stepping up to help out the local communities. Gulfport is a great leader when it comes to these kinds of things. They’re not the only ones, but it’s really important for the industry to be a good citizen, and companies like Gulfport do a great job of working with their locals to ensure the places they operate are great places to live as well,” he said.

Zwick said additional funds are still needed to complete the estimated $400,000 project, which will include the installation of a retaining wall to prevent further slides. She said the county has requested support from other oil and gas companies in the area as well. If the county remains short on funding, it will have to wait until county funds are available.

Zwick said the office was able to secure FEMA funding that will cover the asphalt work to the road.