PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Statement from Dennis Yablonsky, CEO of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development – of which the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance is an affiliate – in response to Shell’s announcement today that it will build a petrochemical complex, including an ethane “cracker,” on the former Horsehead Industries site in Monaca, Pa.
Watch a video of Yablonsky delivering highlights of the statement that follows.
“On behalf of the Pittsburgh region, we congratulate Shell on the announcement of its positive final investment decision today to build a multibillion-dollar, state-of-the-art cracker facility here.
“This announcement signals Shell’s re-entry into the North American polyethylene market. The plant will be one of the largest of its kind in North America – the largest single “from the ground up” industrial investment in the Pittsburgh region in a generation – and the first major U.S. project of its type to be built outside the Gulf Coast region in 20 years.1
“Throughout the planning process, Shell has demonstrated its commitment to safety, environment and community and we know that its commitment will continue through the construction process and when the plant is in daily operation.
“Today’s announcement is also a victory for U.S. manufacturing. Here in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area, we are ready to go to work combining 21st century innovation with proven strength in manufacturing and industrial operations.
“We believe that a capital investment of this magnitude indicates to other companies in the energy, petrochemical and plastics industries that southwestern Pennsylvania should be on their shortlist of locations for new facilities and expansions. That’s especially the case considering that polyethylene demand is forecasted to grow worldwide, with some analysts projecting it will rise four percent per year to 99.6 million metric tons in 2018.
“Shell’s decision to invest in the Pittsburgh region has happened thanks to the leadership and hard work of both the Governor Wolf and Governor Corbett administrations and their economic development teams, state legislators, the Beaver County Commissioners, the Beaver County Corporation for Economic Development and officials from Potter Township, Center Township and the Central Valley School District and others who have helped advance this project and we are proud to have been a member of the team.”
The Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, the economic development marketing affiliate of the Allegheny Conference, has established a “one-stop shop” for companies interested in learning more about business opportunities related to the new petrochemical facility. Learn more here.
Assets for Media
HD video b-roll of the site is available for download here. This is intended for media to use for stories and can be edited for length.
