Planners play catch-up in Marcellus shale leasing rush
By Andrew Conte and Tim Puko PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW Tuesday, August 17, 2010 Interest in drilling the Marcellus shale rock formation has oil and gas companies quickly buying up leases across Allegheny County -- and communities scrambling to keep up, officials said yesterday. Drillers have access to 2,600 pieces of land in the county, mostly from leases signed between January 2009 and May, according to research released by the University of Pittsburgh. > More

Seton Hill Students Create Signage for Greensburg Businesses
Nine of Associate Professor of Art Sr. Mary Kay Neff’s graphic design students spent the spring 2010 semester working with local Greensburg businesses and organizations to develop signage for use on, or in, their buildings.  Barbara Kerestes Martin ’80, founder and CEO of KMA Design, specializes in signage and environmental design and shared her expertise with the class.  The Greensburg Communtiy Development Corporation partnered with Seton Hill to develop this unique opportunity for both the students and the organization. > More

New restaurant is latest piece in Greensburg's revival
Supper Club added at Train Station Thursday, August 12, 2010 By Amanda Gillooly Since The Supper Club opened at The Greensburg Train Station in June, Deb Driggers said, diners have had a similar response to the space: Wow. "It’s amazing. People are really excited about a new restaurant," she said. "The building has such ambience, people just feel comfortable here." Ms. Driggers, of Laughlintown, is president of McAndrews Restaurant Inc., which owns the restaurant. > More

Meeting helps set regional agenda
by Tom McGee Murrysville Star Staff Writer August 5, 2010 A group of community leaders hope to unite 32 counties in the Pittsburgh region to shape the area’s future. Organizers of Power of 32 held a public discussion in Murrysville last week to solicit ideas for growth in southwestern Pennsylvania and neighborhing states.  The group includes representatives fro 32 counties from Pennsylvani, West Virginia, Ohio and Maryland. > More

Power of 32 meeting draws 35
By MICHELLE GANASSI michelleg@dailyamerican.com Wednesday, July 28, 2010 12:00 AM EDT Tuesday morning Somerset residents were given an opportunity to have a voice in the region’s future. The Power of 32 campaign held a community conversation at the Somerset Church of the Brethren, where several ideas about the direction of the region were discussed. “Every idea is a good idea,” regional chairman Allen Kukovich told the group. > More

Drilling ordinance moves forward in North Strabane
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 By Amanda Gillooly North Strabane supervisors voted 4-0 Tuesday night to authorize the township solicitor to finalize an ordinance that permits oil and gas drilling as a conditional use. Board chairman Greg Sulc abstained from the discussion and subsequent vote because he is an employee of Range Resources, an oil and gas company located in nearby Southpointe. The board also ultimately decided not to include provisions for bunk housing in the ordinance, an issue that had been discussed at its last meeting. > More

Meeting spurs interest in novel Power of 32
By Cindy Ekas FOR THE TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, July 28, 2010 More than 30 Fayette County residents gathered Tuesday at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, to outline the challenges, strengths and possibilities of the Greater Pittsburgh region. "The regional visioning initiative" -- known as the Power of 32 -- is receiving input from thousands of people across 32 counties in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Ohio explained local facilitator Wanda Anker of Fay-Penn Economic Development Council. > More

Power of 32 begins idea exchanges
Patrick Buchnowski pbuchnowski@tribdem.com SOMERSET -- The Power of 32 muscled into Somerset County on Tuesday. Power of 32 is a “regional visioning initiative” involving counties in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia. The goal is to form a regional plan that includes strengthening the economy and creating jobs. One of dozens of planned public meetings was held Tuesday at Somerset Church of the Brethren on Plank Road. > More

Power of 32: Solutions that cross borders
By Jessica Borders Times West Virginian FAIRMONT -- During a public meeting, a group of Marion County community members focused on making positive changes in the region through a shared vision. A Community Conversation was held at Fairmont State University’s Jaynes Hall Tuesday evening to discuss the Power of 32 initiative, which is the largest regional visioning project ever undertaken in the country. > More

Putting Smart Growth to Work in Rural Communities
Many rural communities are facing challenges, including rapid growth at metropolitan edges, declining rural populations, and loss of working lands.   This report  focuses on smart growth strategies that can help guide growth in rural areas while protecting natural and working lands and preserving the rural character of existing communities.  These strategies are based around three central goals: 1) support the rural landscape by creating an economic climate that enhances the viability of working lands and conserves natural lands; 2) help existing places to thrive > More

Community discussions to map plan for region
By Tribune-Review Tuesday, July 27, 2010 Two Power of 32 Community Conversation will be held this week in Unity and Murrysville. In the "listening phase" of the Power of 32 project, residents may attend the session to voice their visions for the region’s future. A session will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. today at the Fred Rogers Center, St. Vincent College, 300 Fraser Purchase Road. The Murrysville session will be held 6:30-9 p.m. > More

Vandergrift moves to preserve look of borough property
By Rossilynne Skena VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH Monday, July 26, 2010 Borough residents who cut down trees between the sidewalk and the curb could face a fine. Those trees are borough property, officials say. A new ordinance would enforce that by prohibiting residents from trimming or removing trees along the street -- even those in front of their house. Councilwoman Kathy Chvala leads the borough’s tree committee, which includes two other council members and four residents. > More

DEP Marcellus Shale Examiner
In the past three years, Pennsylvania has become the epicenter of natural gas exploration with dozens of companies seeking to capitalize on the abundant natural resources in the Marcellus Shale formation. The consequences of this rapidly growing industry affect us all. In the coming months, policy makers will be working on important issues related to drilling in Pennsylvania. From enacting a severance tax so large drilling firms pay their fair share, to writing laws that could affect landowners’ rights when it comes to drilling on or under their property, there will be a tremen > More