Hundreds of Jobs Coming With Multi-Billion Dollar Cracker Plant

Posted: Sep 03, 2015 10:57 AM EDTUpdated: Sep 06, 2015 10:57 AM EDT

A multi-billion dollar cracker plant could be coming to Belmont County and would bring hundreds of jobs to the Ohio Valley

COLUMBUS, OH -

UPDATE:

A major step forward in the process to bring a ethane cracker plant toBelmont County. On Thursday, Ohio Governor a John Kasish held a press conference announcing the design plans for the new ethane cracker plant, which carries an estimated cost in the billions.

"It could take four-and-a-half years to build this thing. This isn't some little hut we are building here, his is a big time operation," said Governor Kasich.

The company involved is TPP Global, Thailand's largest petrochemical company. The Governor also talked about the unique opportunity but also the importance of creating hundreds of local jobs.

Following the economic news announced this afternoon, people from around the Ohio Valley are expressing how they feel about the new multi-billion dollar ethane cracker plant coming to Belmont County.

Over the past three decades people who live in Valley have seen their fair share of ups and downs when it comes to industry, but today marks the new chapter for economic growth coming to the Ohio Valley and could have tremendous affects locally on both sides of the river.

"I think it'll be really good, the economy is really low at the moment and people are struggling, so anything that would help our economy, and people to get jobs would be good," said Woodsfield resident, Jerri Pierpont.

"It all depends on the employment for people. It all depends on the insurance coverage. It all depends on the wage. It may help us. It may hurt us. But I think honestly, if it's going to put 350 people to work full-time, okay, they need to keep it; not part-time, full-time, and they need to keep good benefits, good insurance, because the economy is suffering now," Bellaire resident, Michael Coe said.

Overall many of the people we talked to are happy about the new plant.