Drilling and the PA Wilds

We asked Randy Frey of Emporium about two economic possibilities in Cameron County: the Pennsylvania Wilds program and gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale.

Started in 2003, the Pennsylvania Wilds is a program aimed at drawing tourism to the great forests of northwest and north central PA. The state runs ads in more populated areas, and provides resources for local organizations and businesses to take advantage of the program.

“I support the PA Wilds. I think we live in one of the most beautiful places in the country and its pretty much undiscovered.” Randy said. “I don’t think people in Emporium have quite found a way to take advantage of it. I don’t think that PA Wilds have had a large impact on the economy in Cameron County.”

“With [government] help comes a little control and guidelines and things. People are skeptical and reluctant to take advantage of it. There are communities around that are taking full advantage [of the program], and we are starting to here.”

Randy told us about some of those projects: “In April, we have the Cameron County Canoe and Kayak Classic. This is a big, big canoe race. In the last 10 years this thing has tripled in size. For that day there’s thousands of people that come to watch or participate in the canoe race. They market that under the PA Wilds banner. Of course we got elk here. There are a lot of tourists that come to see that. There are some small businesses that are trying to make a little money from that.”

Marcellus gas drilling also brings hopes for new jobs. Whether these jobs will pan out is yet to be seen. Though much of the drilling work is done by out of state workers, some local people will be hired, and some money spent by the workers comes into the local economy. In the rush to drill, the state has leased the majority of the state forest lands to drilling companies. It is possible that this could have negative effects that may have on the PA Wilds campaign.

“I think the only business that has benefited so far is probably the local hotel and the restaurant. There really isn’t a lot of activity yet,” Randy pointed out. “You know everyone wants the governor to tax the gas extraction. Give the local governments a piece of that pie. But we’re not gonna get it.”

“I think there will be an economic benefit to some extent, certain local businesses will benefit. But I think there are definitely pitfalls. Townships have to watch out and get their roads plotted so the gas companies don’t come in take what they want and rip everything to pieces and then just leave.”

Will gas drilling help Cameron County contend with its unemployment? “It’s hard to tell. I can’t even offer a prediction,” Randy concluded.