Participation Type
Panel
Session Title
Session 4.05 Natural Resources
Presentation #1 Title
Community Impact of Utica Shale Development in Appalachian Ohio
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
As development of shale deposits continue throughout Appalachia, local leaders are faced with employing strategies that maximize economic benefit while mitigating negative impacts to community members and the environment. To better understand and document how communities are being impacted by this rapidly growing industry, Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs recently conducted two studies in Appalachian Ohio. The first study sought to examine the impact on affordable housing and homelessness in Carroll County, a rural Appalachian county and epicenter of drilling activity in Ohio. Has the influx of temporary workers affected the availability of affordable housing for Appalachia’s most vulnerable citizens? What future planning and solutions are needed to mitigate those consequences? Second, the Voinovich School administered the inaugural Shale Development Community Impact Survey to 500 local officials in 17 eastern Ohio counties, asking leaders to gauge how shale development has affected their community’s public safety, economy, housing, infrastructure and the environment. By developing a critical baseline of data across a wide geographic region, the School is able to track the magnitude of various impacts of shale development on communities over time. This information is valuable to informing future planning, advocacy, resource allocation, and policy development. This session will examine findings from both studies and encourage participant discussion about possible solutions to address the community impact of shale development.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Robin Stewart is a Senior Project Manager at Ohio University's Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs. Robin is responsible for community economic development projects in the Appalachian Ohio region. In addition, Robin conducts qualitative research and provides technical assistance to nonprofit and government organizations.
Presentation #2 Title
Shale Drilling's Impact on Affordable Housing and Homelessness in Appalachian Ohio
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Sara Lichtin Boyd is a Group Leader and Senior Project Manager at Ohio University's Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs. Sara is responsible for staff and project teams that provide applied research, planning, and evaluation services to nonprofit, public and private sector organizations. Focus areas are health, human services and community economic development. Sara also has expertise in quantitative methods including survey design and deployment.
Community Impact of Utica Shale Development in Appalachian Ohio
Harris Hall 138
As development of shale deposits continue throughout Appalachia, local leaders are faced with employing strategies that maximize economic benefit while mitigating negative impacts to community members and the environment. To better understand and document how communities are being impacted by this rapidly growing industry, Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs recently conducted two studies in Appalachian Ohio. The first study sought to examine the impact on affordable housing and homelessness in Carroll County, a rural Appalachian county and epicenter of drilling activity in Ohio. Has the influx of temporary workers affected the availability of affordable housing for Appalachia’s most vulnerable citizens? What future planning and solutions are needed to mitigate those consequences? Second, the Voinovich School administered the inaugural Shale Development Community Impact Survey to 500 local officials in 17 eastern Ohio counties, asking leaders to gauge how shale development has affected their community’s public safety, economy, housing, infrastructure and the environment. By developing a critical baseline of data across a wide geographic region, the School is able to track the magnitude of various impacts of shale development on communities over time. This information is valuable to informing future planning, advocacy, resource allocation, and policy development. This session will examine findings from both studies and encourage participant discussion about possible solutions to address the community impact of shale development.
