When Williams no longer needed one of two buildings it owns in Salineville, Ohio, leaders inquired with village leaders about public needs.

That led to the donation of the Kenneth Hutson building to the Southern Local School district. In addition to giving the building to the district, Williams donated desks, tables and other furnishing no longer in use, and agreed to pay maintenance fees on the building for a year.

The 7,000-square-foot former bank building is one of two properties purchased in 2014 for Utica East Ohio operations. Although Williams’ presence in Salineville has increased over the last couple of years, consolidation of area real estate meant the building was no longer needed by Williams.

“Donating this now unused building to the local school district was an easy decision,” said Taylor James, director of operations for Williams. “We were glad to have an opportunity to give back to the Salineville community in a meaningful way.”

Taylor said T.J. Gentile, a facilities and construction supervisor for Williams, led the effort with Salineville Mayor Linda Adams to find a good use for the building.

The school district is considering moving their Utica Shale Academy to the building, teaching teens and young adults welding, industrial safety and other technical skills.

Utica Shale Academy Superintendent Bill Watson said the program targets at-risk students and prepares them for industry jobs, including oil and gas.

He said the Hutson building is a great place to expand their programs.