(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

With the sun shining and the backdrop of the Shell Cracker Plant in full view, the press conference introducing “Energize PA” to the public took place near the recently built Heritage Valley & AHN facilities in Monaca. “Energize PA” is a new legislative package looking to improve the job opportunities for PA residents looking for (or looking to keep) their jobs, and expanding the business growth brought on by new industry–such as the aforementioned Shell plant.

The bill package was created by Beaver (and Washington) County State Representative Josh Kail and House Speaker Mike Turzai (of Allegheny County), and the duo also were the main speakers at the press conference on Thursday. Kail spoke about several aspects of this that he appreciated, including the fact that his dad started as a boilermaker in the steel industries, and how the look of growth compared to the previous Horsehead Zinc Plant was astounding. Kail also talked about how Beaver will not be the only county affected by the bill:

Turzai took several minutes to openly appreciate the bill that he and Kail co-wrote, and he agreed with Kail that the working class members of the commonwealth would be greatly supported by Energize PA. The House Speaker also praised Shell for its commitment to staying local when it came to employment:

The two hosts were joined by several other Republican delegates from Beaver County and surrounding areas; one of them, Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce President Matt Smith, was chosen to talk about Energize PA and his views of what the package will do for the state’s workers and job-seekers. Smith also praised the legislation for being bipartisan and based in multiple facets of the job market:

Other attendees to the press conference were County Commissioner Chairman Dan Camp, State Representative Jim Marshall (R-Beaver/Butler), and Beaver County Chamber of Commerce President Jack Manning.