Round-Up: DCED Secretary Dennis Davin Hosts Roundtables in Three Western PA Communities in Preparation for New Shell Plant

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This week, Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin hosted roundtable discussions with state and community leaders and business representatives to discuss how communities can leverage potential investments and development opportunities related to Royal Dutch Shell's decision to build a new ethane cracker plant in Beaver County.  

Roundtable discussions on community preparation and revitalization opportunities were held in New Castle, Lawrence County; Aliquippa, Beaver County; and the City of Washington, Washington County.

Take a look at the coverage below:

Observer-Reporter: Roundtable takes long-term look at cracker plant's economic impact here
"It will be some time before Shell Oil begins constructing its ethane cracker plant in Beaver County, and it could be several years before it begins production. But on Wednesday, about 25 people, including state and local politicians, as well as representatives of Washington County's economic and workforce development agencies, were asked to consider the potential long-term impact of Shell's project here."

Beaver County Radio: State And Local Officials Attend Roundtable Discussion In Aliquippa Regarding Shell Cracker Plant
"About a dozen state and local officials attended a roundtable discussion yesterday at Aliquippa City Hall yesterday to talk about preparing the town and its residents for the arrival of Shell's ethane cracker plant. Jim Palmer – President of the Beaver County Corporation for Economic Development – attended the meeting. He told Mike Romigh on Teleforum this morning that the meeting was productive and that the economic impact of the cracker plant will be felt countywide and beyond. He believes other communities in Beaver County – in addition to Potter and Center Townships – are positioning themselves to take advantage of the potential economic benefits from the cracker plant."

Beaver County Times: Betters wants to help revitalize Beaver County, sees perfect opportunity in arrival of Shell Chemicals
"Prominent developer Chuck Betters grew up in Aliquippa and gets emotional when talking about what the city's revitalization would mean to him. Standing on Franklin Avenue and looking down the street at a blighted property, Betters reminisced Tuesday about the Aliquippa of the 1960s, a thriving town with promise and opportunity. As it turns out, that same promise and opportunity could be lurking just around the corner with the arrival of Shell Chemicals."

New Castle News: County officials ask how to cash in on cracker plant
"Looming on the county's southern horizon is the specter of Shell Oil's multi-billion "cracker" plant, expected to change the economic future of this region when it opens in several years. On Monday, state development officials met with local representatives to discuss how Lawrence County can take advantage of the expected boom. The plant, expected to start construction next year, will use oil and gas to create ethylene which is used in plastics manufacturing. The 6,000 construction jobs to build the plant are expected to give way to 600 permanent jobs."

Pittsburgh Business Times: Rumblings of second cracker at Beaver forum
"The forum, held at Aliquippa City Hall, was one of the Department of Community and Economic Development's roundtable discussions about opportunities arising from Shell's decision to build its petrochemical plant. It was highlighted by DCED Secretary Dennis Davin and drew about two dozen community and economic development leaders who talked about how the cracker and associated manufacturing opportunities could boost Beaver County and all of western Pennsylvania."

To learn more about the Shell Cracker Plant, go to dced.pa.gov/key-industries/naturalgas.   

CONTACT: Lyndsay Kensinger, 717-783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development

Related Links

http://dced.pa.gov