January President’s Message
Jack Manning, President of Beaver County Chamber of Commerce
“Our New Year’s Resolve for 2019”
The Beaver County Chamber of Commerce wishes you all a very Happy New Year! We could not be more excited about the positive impact our member organizations are making on the on the local economy, as several major investments and projects inch closer to completion. These projects are creating hundreds of new jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities for many throughout the Beaver Valley.
Our resolve at the Chamber is to do everything we can to advocate and support these projects as the year progresses. Among those with the largest impact on the local economy is the Shell Cracker plant, which will hit peak construction sometime this summer. We anticipate ~6000 workers on site during the year. There’s also the next phase of Falcon Pipeline project now that the DEP permits are approved. The pipeline has almost everything in place to start construction early this spring.
Several new healthcare and hospitality projects should be having ribbon cuttings and grand openings this year, including Heritage Valley Health System’s Center Township Medical Neighborhood facility located behind the Beaver Valley Mall as part of The Bluffs at Glade Path by Castlebrook Development. By the end of the year Castlebrook is also expected to complete the Allegheny Health Network’s Cancer Institute – Beaver. Both facilities will be significant additions to health care options for the local region as well as providing more employment opportunities for healthcare professionals. St. Barnabas Health Systems is also revealing plans for the former Michael Baker International campus. We expect the retirement housing complex to eventually include apartments and patio homes as well as assisted living and rehab facilities.
On the hospitality front The Willows Inn, that is being totally revamped and upgraded by C J Betters Enterprises in Industry Borough, should be finished this spring. The Hilton Garden Inn in Center Township, located next to the new Home2 Suites, both built by Millcraft Investments, should be completed by the end of 2019. We also anticipate the permitting of the Mt. Airy Casino in Big Beaver Borough, with construction to begin in the first quarter of this year.
These are just some of the projects that are diversifying our economy and bringing significant career path options to local students and adults alike. But in addition to the economy, the Chamber also resolves to support several educational and environmental initiatives. All three aspects, economic growth, educational excellence and environmental quality of life, are critical to keeping Beaver County moving forward. We’ll be highlighting much more about all of these initiatives and our priorities during the course of the year.
The Chamber thrives on our collective optimism and being resilient. For sure, we still have many problems and issues to face. As a country, a commonwealth and a region, we’ll always have challenges that come with the need for change. But we’ll continue to face those challenges and solve those problems with perseverance and faith in our collective talents.
To recognize our resilience and how far we’ve turned the corner in our pursuit of prosperity for all segments of life in the Beaver Valley, the Chamber has collaborated with Ryno Productions to produce a new video. This video is not only a tribute to our historic past but poignantly shows the dawn of a new future to those willing to join us. It highlights our heritage, work ethic and aspirations for diverse business development as we build an even brighter future for generations to come. And we certainly hope it instills pride in all who have, and currently, call Beaver County their home.