Chesapeake Energy Corp. has again signed on to be the featured sponsor for Community Development Institute East, a national training program that will be held in May at the Bridgeport Conference Center in Harrison County.

“WVU Extension Service appreciates the support Chesapeake has given to CDI East,” said David E. Miller, WVU associate provost and director. “This is a capacity-building program that boosts community development and economic growth.”

The program is organized by WVU Extension Service and the West Virginia Development Office.

“Many individuals and private-sector businesses find the institute’s training valuable because it provides tools to enhance the leadership and management capabilities of those individuals responsible for developing our communities,” said Michael Dougherty, the WVU Extension specialist who oversees the institute in his role as course director.

Chesapeake Energy awarded more than $20,000 in grants and private support to WVU Extension Service in 2007-2008, including associate sponsorship of the Community Development Institute East program, the purchase of Web cameras for all county offices, and assistance for the Wetzel County 4-H program. The company continued its support of CDI East in 2009 by becoming the featured sponsor.

Chesapeake Energy is one of the leading producers of natural gas in the U.S. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the company’s operations are focused on the development of onshore unconventional and conventional natural gas in the U.S. in the Barnett Shale, Haynesville Shale, Fayetteville Shale, Marcellus Shale, Anadarko Basin, Arkoma Basin, Appalachian Basin, Permian Basin, Delaware Basin, South Texas, Texas Gulf Coast and East Texas regions of the United States.

The company’s Eastern Division is headquartered in Charleston, W.Va.

-WVU-

CONTACT: Julie Cryser, West Virginia University Extension
304-293-5691, Julie.Cryser@mail.wvu.edu