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Local Communities Prepare for Shale Gas Development
By: Victoria Calderon
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Businesses, local governments and economic development professionals will gather today at Ohio University for an inaugural State of the Region Conference.
"Understanding the Boom-Bust Cycle for Greater Sustainability" is presented by Ohio University's Voiovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs with support from the Department of Commerce.
Participants will come together to examine the short and long-term impact of developing shale gas in the region.
"This conference will highlight the deliberative planning and decisive action that will be required of local officials and citizens in order to optimize benefits for communities, minimize adverse impacts and protect local resources," said Rick Hindman in a press release.
Hindman is a conference speaker and assistant director of the Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District.
Keynote speaker John Quigley is the principal of John H Quigley LLC.
Quigley is focusing on the impacts of Marcellus Shale gas development during his tenure as secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
The conference includes first-hand accounts from leaders in Pennsylvania who have been extensively involved in state and local governments and communities understand the impacts of shale gas development in their area.
"Shale development brings with it potential opportunities for local communities, but those opportunities will not automatically occur," Hindman said.
The conference will also include an introduction to Jobs Ohio and Appalachians Partnering for Economic Growth (APEG).