New publication targets shale industry

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A new monthly publication, Shale Sheet, hits the newsstands today as a new product by The Vindicator and targeted specifically for the emerging shale industry.

It will be published the first week of every month and will be available for purchase at area newsstands and by subscription for mailed delivery.

The concept for the magazine-style tabloid has its genesis in two significant events in the past few months.

In early winter, thousands flocked to the Covelli Centre for a summit on shale. The floor was packed by business, education and community leaders.

The other significant event was the Dec. 31, 2011, earthquake centered in Youngstown and felt as far away as western New York.

The response to these events indicated this new industry would be larger and more nuanced than the Mahoning Valley has experienced in some time, requiring significant media investment to better serve the community.

The creation of Shale Sheet is that investment.

Each month, Shale Sheet will feature:

An enterprising story digging deep into an aspect of the industry.

A detailed recap of lease agreements from three counties and drilling applications for all of eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania.

Insightful columns from voices in the Valley and Columbus and the industry.

An “Ask Shale Sheet” area for people to submit questions to the staff.

A roundup of top news items from Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and the nation.

A business recap looking at the companies and associations driving this new industry in the Valley.

While this will all be unique to Shale Sheet, the daily Vindicator’s aggressive and thorough shale- industry coverage will continue.

It was The Vindicator’s coverage last fall that initially connected a local brine-injection well to the earthquakes. The daily print and online coverage has included a trek to Texas to explore that state’s gas economy and a conference in Washington, D.C., to explore health ramifications.

To subscribe or advertise in Shale Sheet, call 330-747-1471 for ads, and 330-740-2969 for delivery.