The University of Central Arkansas’ Strategic Growth Institute will host a seminar on Oct. 3 to provide an update on the production and economic significance of the Fayetteville Shale drilling operations, the school announced Monday.
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 also will be discussed.
Speakers and panelists will include the following: Brad Hegeman of Nabholz Construction Co.; Gene Cauley of Home Bancshares; Faulkner County Judge Preston Scroggin; Conway County Judge Jimmy Hart; Sen. Bob Johnson, D-Bigelow; Sen. Gilbert Baker, R-Conway; Rep. Bill Abernathy, D-Mena; Rep. Johnnie Roebuck, D-Arkadelphia; and Robert Pittman, executive director of the Strategic Growth Institute.
"The magnitude and impact of natural gas production in Arkansas 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.
Pittman said communities in the shale area 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," he said. "It is also about communities using this opportunity to create the kind of long-term sustainable economic development they desire."
The half-day program will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Brewer Hegeman Conference Center on the UCA campus. For more information, call Mary Ellen Klotz at (501) 450-5372 or visit www.uca.edu/shalesummit.
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