NORWICH – A Montrose, Pa. diner owner told those attending a recent webinar at the Eaton Center that natural gas production had created a positive “hustle and bustle” in his community.

“I’ve seen nothing but a 100 percent positive reaction from people. It’s a welcome sight in the community that we have living there,” said John Payne.

Payne, who also happens to own a crane business and has contracted for Norse Energy, was one of about 20 who participated in the first meeting of a webinar series designed to educate the local business community about business opportunities within the natural gas industry. The fifth and last webinar will be held tomorrow, Nov. 10 at 8 a.m. in the Eaton Center on Conkey Avenue in Norwich.

The webinar series was created by Penn State Cooperative Extension and offered locally through the Cornell Cooperative Extension and Commerce Chenango. About a dozen people have attended each session. Coordinator Jennifer Tavares said she hoped to see more people there at tomorrow’s final session, but the turnout has resulted in “an interesting mix of people who might be able to capitalize on the opportunities over the next several years.”