How will Potter County’s economy be affected by the dawning natural gas boom? How will our communities change? How should local leaders respond? Those are among the issues that will be addressed as a respected rural economics professor from Penn State, Dr. Tim Kelsey, speaks at the next meeting of the Potter County Natural Gas Task Force. The session is scheduled for 7 pm on Tuesday, March 9, at the Gunzburger Building Auditorium and is open to the public.
Dr. Kelsey has studied the potential impact of Marcellus Shale gas production in Pennsylvania. He forecasts that many sectors of the economy will benefit, with opportunities for a number of industries, including construction, retail and trade. He says the two-fold economic challenge is:
- Finding ways to help local businesses and workers compete for the new business opportunities arising from natural gas.
- Finding ways to encourage businesses, workers, and royalty owners to spend locally.
Kelsey also states that “local jurisdictions with natural gas wells very likely will face higher demands for services and thus higher costs, and yet receive little new revenues to pay for those services.” For a copy of a report he wrote on the topic, click here.
More information on the program for the March 9 meeting will be announced. A Marcellus Shale/Natural Gas section of the county’s website, http://pottercountypa.net/, is regularly updated with developments of interest that are occurring on an almost-daily basis.
