NORWICH – Representatives from five New York counties met last week in an effort to build a skilled workforce for the natural gas industry and to explore regional business opportunities that might take advantage of the abundant energy source.

The event, held in the Chenango County Office Building boardroom, attracted elected officials, educators, economic developers, and landowners from Chenango, Madison, Otsego, Delaware and Broome counties. Also present were representatives from three natural gas industry companies: Norse Energy, Inc. of Norway, GasTem USA of Canada, and Lenape Resources, Inc. of Alexander, NY.

“We made significant progress to bring the needs of the natural gas industry to the attention of government officials, economic developers and educators. All groups represented portrayed a commitment to collaborate as a region and make this a promising boon to the economy, a ‘win win’ for everybody,” said Chenango County Natural Gas Consultant Steven Palmatier, who moderated the summit on behalf of the Chenango County Department of Planning and Development.

The planners present committed to creating an inter-county directory of natural gas-related services and suppliers. The group of educators, led by DCMO BOCES Adult Education Programming Director Pauline Stamp, agreed to create an education matrix for potential workers.

According to the industry representatives, course offerings in demand would be in hydraulics, welding, mechanics, excavating, mapping, cementing, drafting, surveying, title and abstract legal work, environment and conservation, geology, and civil, chemical and petroleum engineering.