By Guy Ciarrocchi

For decades, our business, civic and government leaders have successfully cooperated and planned; proving that there is no such thing as the false choice of “robust economy” vs. “quality of life.” They are complimentary partners, not adversaries.

We have nurtured our mushroom industry; welcomed the re-birth of the-now ArcelorMittal steel plant; spurred a bio-pharma hub in Malvern; watched the growth of QVC; and, applauded the local commitment of Vanguard. All of this while we have seen our financial, legal and non- profit sectors grow, along with start-ups in areas like 3D printers and micro-breweries.

We have done all this while also serving as partners with and gateways to the industries of Wilmington and Philadelphia. We have that chance, again. The chance to grow our economy, help the region and improve our quality of life— if we work together.

Pennsylvania is sitting on more energy BTUs than Saudi Arabia. We have at least 100 years- worth of natural gas to serve our state, nation—and allies around the globe.

We are already helping. Chester County companies not only make rigs, valves and safety- monitors; we contribute through environmental engineers, attorneys and accountants. We can—and should—do more. Pennsylvania’s gas is sitting in western and northern PA. We need to help get that gas to the Philadelphia region to create a world-class energy and chemical hub to revitalize factories, spur investment and the growth of new unforeseen-businesses, and help the ports reach their full potential. We need to do our part to create jobs for steamfitters and longshoreman—and, chemists, engineers and accountants, and to develop products, devices or processes we can’t even conceive of today. That’s what happens when new industries grow take-root and flourish.

This is not just about our playing a key role in a grand macro-economic enterprise or in our national security through increased energy independence—although those alone are great reasons to help. This is about creating opportunities for our companies of today, and also about helping create new growth—jobs for our children and grand-children.

A few years ago at a natural gas business networking event in Williamsport this wonderful chain of economic growth events unfolded. A drilling company discussed its constant focus on keeping its pipes clean; that lead a Poconos-based company to develop a new scrub-brush; which lead to that company needing more wire from its supplier in Lancaster County; which lead to exponential growth in its cargo-box supplier in Berks County. One need not be located in the shale region nor be employed for a gas company to find opportunity.

However … all of the economic growth in the world would not be worth it if we have to trade our quality of life, let alone our health or safety. We should all agree on that. Enter Chester County.

For decades, from farming to bio-pharma, from office parks to factories that make steel, potato chips or Krimpets, we have found a way to make things work here. It is time, again, for us to come together to find the most productive and safest way to help move natural gas to where it needs to be.

Our Chamber is ready willing and able to help in that role. If we do it right, we will get a cleaner burning energy source accessible to Chester County homes and businesses; a wonderful quality of life and a growing economy here and in the region. And, our children will work here in new enterprises, with cleaner air. If …

Guy Ciarrocchi is the President & CEO of the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry. Guy@CCCBI.org.