A year later, the Conoco-Phillips merger has helped, not hurt Bartlesville

It's been one year to the day since Phillips announced its merger with fellow oil-giant Conoco. <br><br>At the time, many predicted doom and gloom for Bartlesville. But as News on Six business reporter

Monday, November 18th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

It's been one year to the day since Phillips announced its merger with fellow oil-giant Conoco.

At the time, many predicted doom and gloom for Bartlesville. But as News on Six business reporter Steve Berg tells us, a funny thing happened, the exact opposite.

Last year, the â€˜fearâ€™ took many forms. For Suzanne Harlan, it was fear about her church expansion. "Our church was, the ramifications of our church that we were building on and that we may not have the finances to continue it." But ultimately they were all worried about the same thing, what would happen to their town.

Another resident, Doyn Mallow, "I think that's normal, for a first reaction, but I think we can kind of see now that things are working out." Chamber of Commerce president Pam Dunlap is quick to point out that Phillips said from the very beginning that it would keep a presence in Bartlesville. "They had twenty-four hundred prior to the announcement, and now today, they're saying it's going to be at least 24-hundred in our community, so more jobs than we originally anticipated."

Along the way, they've also gotten word of a major expansion from longtime Bartlesville business Schlumberger. And a regional distribution center from a newer face, Wal-Mart. And the expansion at Suzanne Harlan's church. Various people in my age group were concerned, but it seems to have been worked out and seeing the first sign with the merger sign saying Conoco Phillips.

The Conoco-Phillips banner is only temporary, but officials say it's their understanding that the company will keep a presence not just in Bartlesville, but also in downtown Bartlesville.

Ironically, realtors are seeing a bidding war. Local realtor, Donna Skelly, "Pretty much, yes that's correct and we're seeing houses selling above listing price as well." But compared to the alternative, those who live here say that's easier to live with.

Local newspaper reports also say that Aldi Stores has applied for a permit to build a new 15,000 square foot grocery store in Bartlesville.