Just a few miles southwest of Pittsburgh, PA the people of Chartiers Township are finally able to start construction on the community center and adjoining park and recreation area that the town has been struggling to develop for some time. A lack of funds and a waning local economy has previously hindered development, and blocked construction efforts from getting off the ground on this 31-acre parcel of land. That's not the case any longer, and Town Supervisor, Harlan Shober, says it's all thanks to new production of clean natural gas in the area. In this segment of Hear Our Voices, Supervisor Shober explains how his town is experiencing economic growth and community enrichment through their partnership with natural gas - all "without using tax dollars."
Shober tells us that other areas of the community are also getting a boost: restaurants are "crowded more than they've ever been," and farmers are coming back to their fields where they can "farm for fun" and still turn a profit thanks to their lease agreements with natural gas producers in the area.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review notes that leasing of buildings, office space, and homes has been up in Southwest Pennsylvania "since the boom in gas exploration in the mile-deep shale began," and Chartiers Township is another example of the positive benefits of this abundant, American energy source.
Supervisor Shober agrees that the "real change in the local economy" has been seen since the natural gas community came to town, and that the positive impact on Chartiers Township is just beginning.
Thank you, Supervisor Shober, for your local leadership and for sharing your story of what natural gas has brought to your community. We can't wait to see what other positive impacts natural gas is going to have on Pennsylvania cities and towns.
