Ah, the joys of uncertainty. These days, there is plenty to go around.
Will schools start on schedule? Will high school and college sports start on time? Is life going to come to a screeching halt yet again while the region and country deal with the resurgence of coronavirus.?
But here in the Ohio Valley, there’s the added uncertainty of the status of the cracker plant in Dilles Bottom.
The continued delays in the final decision, coupled with the recent announcement that Daelim Chemical USA withdrew itself from the joint project with PTTGC America created additional question marks.
No community is feeling it more than Shadyside.
While Tiger Town figures to benefit the most based on sheer proximity, the local school district is banking on the project to help provide funding for a new K-12 school complex and other upgrades.
Naturally, Superintendent John Haswell was disappointed upon first hearing the Daelim announcement.
“The news was not what I wanted to hear,” Haswell said. “But I do understand the challenges this pandemic has caused.
“PTT made a statement that they are committed to the project and still plan to make an announcement by the end of the year or shortly into the new year.”
The funding discussion for the school district and the construction plans have been in the works behind-the-scenes for a number of years.
Haswell admitted PTTGC is always upfront and honest with both he and the district, so he has no reason for his trust to waver now.
Many Still Confident
Want a good indicator that, at least in Shadyside, the citizens still are confident this project will happen?
Consider Haswell’s phone, or specifically, the fact it wasn’t ringing off the hook when the announcement was made.
“I actually did not get any calls,” he noted. “I reached out right away to a rep and he remains hopeful.
“As I’ve said in other interviews, we can’t wait forever to get new buildings.”
One district building saw its construction complete in 1932. The “newest” structure: 1957. Upgrades are needed.
Yes, the football field and track are getting an artificial playing surface and associated upgrades which are currently in process. But what the district needs is a new building—and it’s coming.
“I have never been led astray by them so I remain optimistic the project will happen,” Haswell said. “And we will be able to begin the construction of our new building.”
Encouraging News
In addition to the amount of money and time PTTGC already has invested in the project, more encouraging news was announced later in the month.
PTTGC announced it an agreement with Energy Storage Ventures LLC, a subsidiary of Mountaineer NGL Storage.
The agreement calls for a natural gas liquid (NGL) underground storage facility near the location of the proposed cracker plant.
Again, if the project was in serious jeopardy, why make this announcement after the fact? Do ease worries of backers and stockholders, perhaps.
But it also means that PTTGC will be eventually making the announcement that many, not all, but many in the valley have longed to hear for some time.
The influx of temporary construction jobs and a number of permanent jobs, along with the tax dollars and spinoff businesses and positive financial effects are most likely coming.
Shadyside has more riding on it than most. But for Haswell, like many of the residents in his community, the optimism still outweighs the worry.
