Community leaders are aiming to learn more about the oil and gas industry.
 
The Tuscarawas Oil and Gas Alliance, or TOGA, hosted a summit Tuesday at the Performing Arts Center at Kent State Tuscarawas, to discuss the industry’s impact on the county and surrounding communities.
 
TOGA member Mike Lauber says the alliance was approached by Tuscarawas County Commissioners to hold the event.
 

 
Tuscarawas County Commissioner Chris Abbuhl says TOGA organized an informational trip to Green County Pennsylvania earlier this year, to see, first-hand, the effects that the oil and gas industry was having on their community.
 
At that time, he says, those in attendance felt the information needed to be shared with the local community.
 

 
Teri Edwards, Executive Director of the Twin City Chamber of Commerce, says it’s important for the chamber to be able to share important information about the industry with member businesses.
 

 
New Philadelphia Mayor Mike Taylor says he thought it was interesting to learn that the growth and activity of the industry will really start to be felt in 2014 and 2015.
 

 
Tuesday’s speakers included Green County Pennsylvania Commissioner Pam Snyder, Dr. Robert Chase, Department Chair of Petroleum Engineering and Geology with Marietta College, Rhonda Reeda, Executive Director of the Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program and Andrew Thomas, Executive-in-Residence at the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs of Cleveland State University.
 
Lauber says officials are already working on a Business to Business Expo that’s slated for August and says TOGA’s mission is to encourage and promote Tuscarawas County as a preferred location for companies and people involved in the Utica Shale “play.”
 

 
For additional information about TOGA and Tuesday’s summit, visit  http://tuscoilandgas.org/