Marcellus Shale Companies a Boon for Local Economy
As natural gas-exploration companies move into the area, local businesses benefit.
In Cranberry Township, as in many Western Pennsylvania towns, public debate swirls about the health and environmental impact of Marcellus Shale drilling. But Cranberry business owner Jim Boltz can attest to one area in which the Marcellus Shale drilling boom is all positive – his bottom line. “Even with the tough economy last year, we had an increase in sales, and a lot of that is due to new businesses like this coming into the area. I think it’s pretty exciting,” said Boltz, who owns Minuteman Press. In the past two years, several natural gas exploration companies have established a presence in or near Cranberry. Other business owners and community leaders also said these companies are having a positive effect on the local economy. Boltz …
In this Article:
Joseph McMurry
9:32 am on Friday, May 13, 2011
In the Bradford County Commissioners' letter to Gov. Tom Corbett detailing the negative impacts of Marcellus Shale drilling on their county, Comm. Mark Smith states: "The economic benefit of this development is unquestionable. However, it is also unquestionable that when left unattended, the negatives outweigh the positives quickly and heavily.” We have to look at the "bad" of this issue as well … more ›