Some of North America’s richest deposits of natural gas are found in the Marcellus Shale formation which spans, in the mid-Atlantic region, from southeast and southern New York State all the way to West Virginia. Lying within this arc of geology is the Commonwealth of PA, which is home to some of the highest producing shale formations from the northeast tier counties of Potter, Tioga, Bradford, and Susquehanna to the southwest counties surrounding and including Pittsburgh.

Hailed as an economic driver and as a possible answer to our country’s dependence on foreign oil for decades to come, Marcellus Shale Gas does conjure images of the Gold Rush that led to western migration of the United States. With this unprecedented influx of industrial investment and economic development come challenges, challenges that ELA Group, Inc. (ELA) can help both the natural gas industry and affected communities to mitigate.

Impact on Infrastructure

• Transportation systems within the Marcellus Shale region are becoming heavily used, especially by quarry trucks and water tankers. On one hand, this causes congestion as well as deleterious impacts on the roadway surfaces themselves; on the other, many companies have invested heavily to repair, restore, and bond public roads impacted by the increase in industry-related vehicles. ELA can assist the industry and the affected communities alike to assure that sufficient roadway capacity is available, along with assuring the safety of the motoring public.


• Development of well pads and pipelines calls for a balance between the industry’s needs and the long-term impact on the surrounding communities. Well-pad site development and pipeline routing are often complicated by the isolated nature and the rugged terrain that are indicative of the Marcellus Shale region. ELA can work with the industry and communities to formulate strategies that seek to limit the footprint of pad sites, their grading/earthmoving, and the access to them; the visual and sound impact of drilling operations; and, the long-term implications of scattered well sites connected by a virtual web of pipelines.

Community Development

• Community investment/reinvestment has and will continue to follow the industry. Already, the communities of the Marcellus Shale region have seen large, multi-national companies become corporate citizens and next-door neighbors. Some of these companies have assisted counties in completely overhauling their record-keeping systems and recorder-of-deeds offices. Meanwhile, the small towns and villages of Towanda, Wellsboro, and Mansfield have seen an increase in the demand for public services.


• Community planning can help appropriately guide community investment and reinvestment. Working with the industry and host communities, opportunities should be sought to work cooperatively in preserving the scenic resources and the rural and small-town appeal of the region. Strategies could and should include heritage and cultural conservation, the preservation of tourism, the advancement of Main Street and Elm Street programs, the appropriate expansion of public services, and the preparation of comprehensive plans and resulting zoning and development ordinances. ELA is adept at working with multiple stakeholders to accomplish these tasks.

Affordable Housing and Industrial/Commercial and Institutional Development

• Affordable housing has become a pressing need in the region. Due to demands caused by the industry’s workforce, many longtime residents of the region have had to seek alternative housing because of the increased demand for and higher-cost of housing. Industrial/commercial and institutional development needs are also on the rise. The gas industry requires office space and storage yards, quarry materials and water supply. Ancillary demands include opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Furthermore, with the influx of industry workers comes the need for schools, houses of worship, and senior living communities for related family members.

While these types of development are all familiar to ELA Group, Inc., we are also aware of and equipped to address the sustainability of this development activity long after the Marcellus Shale Gas industry has reached its zenith. Whether it is in the development of new mixed-use communities themselves or in the creation of ordinances that enable such development, ELA Group, Inc. is capable of assisting the industry and the affected communities alike.

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