An interview with Donna Oberlander

By Jason P., Class of 2004

G. Whitling's oil well in Knox

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Kahle Lake

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Forest in Fern Township

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Strip mine in Ashland Township

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Will and his buck

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Alum Rock

Donna Oberlander, the Business/Education Services Coordinator for the Clarion County Economic Developmental Corporation, was kind enough to offer her services for this website. I had the liberty of having an interview with her, and this is the information she provided about the human and natural resources of the Keystone area:

The Keystone area has always been plentiful in natural resources: oil, coal, natural gas, timber; but over the years, time has taken its toll on one of these. Coal, a valuable resource used for heating and running factories, has been mined out. The value of this resource has run out of this area, but others are still being extracted and used, mainly by small, individual businesses.  " Oil and natural gas are still viable.  We're in what is called a wood cluster," said Ms. Oberlander. We contain the best hard woods in the world, which have become in high demand by artisans and carpenters. Not only do we have some the best timber in the world, but we have some of the most beautiful scenery as well, especially during the fall months. Other resources, such as gravel, water, and agriculture, are waiting to be used in an industrial manner.

Our beautiful scenery, which provides great hunting, fishing, boating, and recreation, creates these tourist attractions.

41,765 people live in Clarion County. Over 26, 408 people are eligible for jobs, with the unemployment rate at 4.3% in 2001. There are nineteen thousand people employed in civilian jobs, with 3,700 in management or professional jobs; 2,600 in service (retail, cashiers); 5,200 in tech sales and administration; 4,600 as operators/laborers (construction); 2,600 in precision production; and 600 in farming, forestry, and fishing.

Education is a growing factor for the Keystone area. Keystone School District has some of the best school teachers around, who encourage learning to be a part of everyday life.

n Clarion County, by the year 2000, 18,252 people attained their high school diploma or GED. 2,921 people earned their bachelor's degree, and 1,273 earned their masters. Very smart people are obtainable in this area, and you don't have to look very hard.

The Keystone area is a good, hard-working community with the resources needed to become a more successful one.