Chesapeake Energy 2011 Annual Report Download - page 26

Community
Development
38%
30%
21%
11%
Social
Services
Health and
Medical
Education
24 | Community Relations
COMMUNITY
RELATIONS
THE ECONOMICS
The energy industry has been booming, and
communities where Chesapeake operates have
been sharing in the boom. From the Marcellus
Shale in Pennsylvania and West Virginia through the
Utica Shale in Ohio to the Eagle Ford Shale in South
Texas, new enterprises are emerging and established
businesses are thriving in response to an influx of new
customers and an upswing in the energy industry.
Everywhere we operate, Chesapeake also pays
taxes that fund schools, roads, parks, recreational
facilities and more. In 2011, Chesapeake paid approxi-
mately $850 million in taxes including ad valorem,
severance, sales, employer, and corporate income and
franchise taxes. In addition, we invested more than
$225 million in road maintenance in Pennsylvania,
West Virginia and Ohio, always leaving roads in better
condition than they were when our activities began.
Industry boosts deli
When Donna Saur opened a deli shop in 2009 in downtown Carroll-
ton, Ohio, population of approximately 3,000, she was pleased the
community immediately supported it. But two years later, more good
fortune came Saur’s way when Chesapeake’s
Utica Shale drilling began in the area. People
who work on the rigs or in ancillary busi-
nesses quickly learned about the home
cooking at Saur’s restaurant.
“Business has increased 50% because
of Chesapeake,” she said. “It’s been a bless-
ing. Sometimes I just can’t believe it.”
What started with a group of eight
guys for lunch quickly grew into 10 groups
of eight to 10 guys, said Saur. “They’re all so
polite and thankful for this community. I like
having them.”
EDUCATION COUNTS
The future of America always depends on the
leadership and creativity of the new generation
and the next. That’s why investing in educa-
tional institutions and programs is a priority at Chesa-
peake. From preschools to universities, we donated
$9.4 million to education in 2011, and of that amount,
$2.4 million helped fund higher education.
Working mother receives Chesapeake scholarship
Denise Davis was a working mother of two, with a third on the way,
attending classes at Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) in Loui-
siana. She was not eligible for financial aid and was scrambling to fund
her second semester when she discovered the Chesapeake Energy
Corporation Scholarship oered through the school.
“I’m so thankful for the Chesapeake scholarship because it’s the
reason I stayed in school,” said Davis. “If it were not for those funds,
I would not have been able to continue with my classes and gain the
foundation I need to pursue my goals.”
Davis is also proud to set an example for her daughters — that
education matters and is worth the hard work and eort.
After completing courses at BPCC, Davis plans to earn her bach-
elor’s degree from the University of Alabama – Huntsville and hopes
to one day work for an energy company.
Since 2008, Chesapeake has pro-
vided $45,000 to BPCC; Northwestern
State University; Louisiana State Univer-
sity – Shreveport; Southern University
– Shreveport; Centenary College of
Louisiana and Louisiana Tech to fund
academic programs and scholarships.
CHESAPEAKE’S $31 MILLION
OF CHARITABLE GIVING IN 2011
When Chesapeake operates in a community, businesses thrive and nonprofit organizations gain valuable benefits. Evidence of our
commitment to being the best neighbor and corporate partner is shown by the more than $31 million the company gave in 2011
to support charitable organizations, event sponsorships and projects across our operating areas, primarily focusing on community
development, education, health care and social services.