UCA to host Shale summit

By The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

CONWAY — UCA's Strategic Growth Institute will host a seminar on Friday, Oct. 3, to provide an update on the production and economic significance of the Fayetteville Shale drilling operations. The half-day program will begin at 8:30 a.m. with refreshments and will end at noon. The conference will be held at the Brewer Hegeman Conference Center on the UCA campus.

Panels of industry personnel, elected officials and executives from the real estate and financial sectors will discuss how production is ramping up, what it will likely be in the future and the current and projected impact on Arkansas and its communities. Higher education issues relating to the shale play will also be discussed. Speakers and panelists will include Brad Hegeman from Nabholz Construction Co., Gene Cauley of the Home Banc Shares Board, Faulkner County Judge Preston Scroggin, Conway County Judge Jimmy Hart, state Sens. Bob Johnson and Gilbert Baker, Reps. Bill Abernathy and Johnnie Roebuck and Dr. Robert Pittman, executive director of the Strategic Growth Institute.

"The magnitude and impact of natural gas production inArkansas from the Fayetteville Shale operations change almost daily," Pittman said. "These operations will continue to have far-reaching impacts on the state and many communities. It is important that all Arkansans keep up with the situation so they can plan for and benefit from the situation. Communities in the immediate and surrounding areas need to plan and adapt proactively to the operations so they can maximize the benefits. The Fayetteville Shale play is not only about jobs and checks for mineral rights. It is also about communities using this opportunity to create the kind of long-term sustainable economic development they desire."

For directions and more information, call Mary Ellen Klotz at (501) 450-5372 or visit www.uca.edu/shalesummit.

River Valley Ozark, Pages 136 on 09/14/2008