Star Beacon
ASHTABULA —
The Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Reserve located in the Northern Appalachia region of the Northeast United States holds a great potential for wide-scale natural gas development. Join an expert panel for a discussion on the social and economic implications of large-scale development on Ashtabula County community.
As with most economic activity, the impacts of natural gas affect more than just the specific firms directly involved in the industry.
n How does the drilling process work?
n Local businesses that supply the industry (such as oil field service companies, local contractors, area surveyors, attorneys, and local fuel and stone suppliers)
n Effects of employee spending (local retailers and restaurants).
n Leasing and royalty income, which is currently of much interest in Ohio, actually accounts for a very small share of the economic impact.
Our panel presentation will allow for questions and discussion with our audience of the social, environmental, and economic impact of Marcellus Shale Drilling. This is a real opportunity for Ashtabula residents to hear from experts, and ask questions about how they will be impacted by the possibility of Marcellus Shale Drilling here in Ashtabula County. Panelists include David Marrison, OSU Extension- County Director, Assistant Professor & Extension Educator for Agriculture & Natural Resources; Nathan Paskey, District Manager, Ashtabula County Soil and Water Conservation District; and Ed Looman, Executive Director of the Progress Alliance, Jefferson County.
The Ashtabula County community can increase the possible economic benefits of a growing natural gas industry by planning ahead to respond to the growing population within their area. Communities are often overwhelmed by rapid population influxes associated with the energy development and that energy development often provides a number of unique opportunities and challenges to communities and local governments.
Local governments can better prepare for the waves of new growth and be at an advantage to mitigate potential growth problems. Education and information can help avoid growth volatility, lack of jurisdiction, conflict between long-term residents and new residents, resistance to new government policy or planning strategies, shortage of staff or expertise, and a lack of or lag insufficient revenue.
Economic impacts can be mixed, as some sectors or communities will benefit much more than others. Businesses or residents not directly tied to the energy industry may have to deal with inflationary or employment pressures while not seeing gains in revenue.
Job growth can be stratified, as while new jobs will be created, not all workers will be suited for or interested in these jobs. Expectations for economic benefits are often unrealistically high, and while economic and job growth does occur, these expectations are not met.
Discussion will include examples of how certain groups of people will have different social reactions to rapid growth, depending on their stature in the community and whether they were residents before the growth occurred.
Start your day with a cup of coffee, breakfast, and join us at 8 a.m. Wednesday for the opportunity to hear a presentation about the future of one of Ashtabula take part in a panel discussion about how a growing industry may shape and impact Ashtabula County's future.
RSVP by e-mailing ashtabulaprofiles@kent.edu or calling Mary Collins at 964-4312. Reservations acc-epted until noon on Monday. Cost: $8 The Profiles Break-fast Series is sponsored by Kent State University at Ashtabula, Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County, LEADERship Ashtabula County, and Gazette Newspapers.
