We have heard of, seen, and experienced the growing pains in our area thanks to the tapping of the natural gas in the Marcellus Shale formation. The work and its effects can certainly be difficult and dangerous at times-just take a look at the photo and story on the front page of this newspaper.

Growth never comes without a price. No doubt the building of the Empire State Building caused some headaches in New York City. The oil boom this area experienced approximately 100 years ago had to have produced some problems. Even the growth of children comes with, at the very least, the price tag of new shoes and clothes. Growth is never painless.

But on the positive side, this development has the potential to bring this area a great amount of income-both directly and indirectly. Those who own mineral rights are seeing some portion of the profit. Some have found jobs in the industry. Local charities have enjoyed some donations. Support services such as restaurants and motels have increased business.

It’s not all bad and it’s not all good. But as the saying goes, you have to take the bad with the good. Our area is seeing some heightened activity right now and we hope and believe the companies involved really do care about our community and its residents and will do their best to be good neighbors.