Dozens of Columbiana County residents attended an informational open house held by Nexus Gas Transmission company at United Local School on Tuesday evening.

The planned pipeline would connect the existing Kensington Processing plant in Columbiana County to another main pipeline. It would travel through Hanover, West and Knox Townships in the county and then continue along a route that takes it into Michigan.

The pipe would be underground and about 36" to 42" in diameter.

"We recently entered the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission pre-filing process that lasts for the next year. We'll be working with the communities to evaluate the proposed route, we'll submit our formal application at the end of 2015. We're targeting receiving all of our approvals by the end of 2016," said Arthur Diestel, with Nexus Gas Transmission.

Some people at the open house said they welcomed the investment.

"If you look at the broader picture of all the potential development of the Utica shale, it's got to be one piece of that puzzle, I think," said Paul Greenisen, of Salem.

Kensington resident, Bryan Grubbs said, "It's doesn't bother me, no. I think it's good for the community. (Why?) Maybe lower the price of fuel for us."

Some other landowners, who declined to talk on camera, said they have safety concerns. Some opponents in Western Ohio would like to see the pipeline take a more southern route away from larger communities.

Nexus officials said they hope to get approval for the $2 Billion pipeline to be able to start construction in early 2017.