Opportunity lies
below the surface.
Connecting Manufacturers to
the Shale Supply Chain
Opportunity
lies below
the surface.
Connecting Manufacturers to
the Shale Supply Chain
Your Pipeline for Shale Industry Business
This Shale POWER initiative provides technical assistance and business support to small and medium manufacturers and enterprises seeking to expand business, production and jobs in the burgeoning shale gas and downstream manufacturing sectors in the coal-impacted, Appalachian region.
The Shale POWER Initiative is led by Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission and managed by Catalyst Connection, along with the West Virginia Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Ohio’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership organizations (Ohio State University and MAGNET), and the nonprofit Johnstown Area Regional Industries (JARI). Shale POWER provides technical assistance and business support to small and medium manufacturers and enterprises seeking to expand business and achieve 1000+ new and retained jobs in the burgeoning shale gas and downstream manufacturing sectors. Funding for the Shale POWER Initiative was provided through a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).
Catalyst Connection is a southwestern Pennsylvania economic development organization dedicated to serving manufacturers. For more than 30 years, Catalyst has operated with a focus on powering potential through delivering technical assistance and management consulting services and developing long-standing partnerships across the region. Catalyst maintains a deeply held commitment to modernizing manufacturing and enabling opportunity across business enterprises, individuals, and throughout communities. Catalyst Connection is supported, in part, by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development, and by the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnerships.
The Shale POWER initiative covers 35-counties including the counties below.
Pennsylvania: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Somerset, Washington, Westmoreland
West Virginia: Brooke, Doddridge, Hancock, Harrison, Marion, Marshall, Monongalia, Ohio, Pleasants, Preston, Ritchie, Taylor, Tyler, Wetzel, Wood
Ohio: Belmont, Gallia, Jefferson, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Scioto, Washington
The Industry has spent hundreds of billions in this region and continues to spend at least
each year
How We Help You Build Business
Featured Event
Appalachian Energy Innovation Collaborative
Technology & Manufacturing Showcase
The Technology and Manufacturing Showcase provides a unique opportunity for innovators of emerging technologies to introduce new products or solutions to the energy industry and its service providers.
Upcoming Events
Featured Resource

The Opportunity for Plastics Manufacturers in the Appalachian Region
Learn about opportunities for regional plastics manufacturers to expand and build profitability. The availability of shale gas locally has made manufacturing of plastic products that utilize HDPE and LLDPE cheaper in the Appalachian Region. Greater consumer spending is increasing demand for goods that use plastic. Manufacturing activity has risen and supported higher demand for related plastics. Dr. Palanki has researched the costs to manufacture plastic goods in China and Appalachia. The results may surprise you.
News & Updates
SHALE INSIGHT 2022: Some Highlights
NewsletterSHALE INSIGHT 2022: Some HighlightsAugust - September 2022The Marcellus Shale Coalition hosted the 12th annual SHALE INSIGHT Conference from September 27th to 29th. Local Shale POWER representatives and regional manufacturers were in attendance. This article...
Manufacturing Innovation on Full Display at AEIC
NewsletterManufacturing Innovation on Full Display at AEICMay - June 2022Innovation and technology are key drivers in the manufacturing and energy industries. These two industries intersect at the upcoming Appalachian Energy Innovation Collaborative being hosted June...
Manufacturing Companies See Real Value with Shale POWER
NewsletterManufacturing Companies See Real Value with Shale POWERMay - June 2022The Shale POWER initiative provides technical assistance and business support to small and medium manufacturers and enterprises seeking to expand business, production and jobs in the...
Stay Connected
with the Industry
Stay Connected
with the Industry

Partners with a Business-Growth Mindset
Shale POWER has partnered with three regional learning centers for technical assistance: Carnegie Mellon University, West Virginia University, and Belmont College. Shale POWER engages directly with small and medium sized companies to connect them to the shale-manufacturing sectors, develop business strategies for expanding in these sectors, and support workforce and job development to meet the burgeoning demand in shale-related markets.
The Shale POWER Mini-grant Program is managed by the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission and administered by Catalyst Connection with partners JARI, MAGNET, Ohio State University and WVMEP. This program is made possible with funding by the Appalachian Regional Commission.







