Last month, township officials from across the commonwealth gathered in Harrisburg for the 100th conference of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors. There were many takeaways from the event, but what struck me was how our corner of the state is uniquely situated to overcome looming economic challenges.
It is no secret that Pennsylvania’s prolific natural gas production, second only to Texas, has elevated our state as a global energy leader. However, energy is just one part of our region’s economic dynamism.
In Beaver County, the state-of-the-art Shell cracker plant is the face of our state’s burgeoning petrochemical industry. Throughout the Mon Valley, U.S. Steel continues its storied legacy of churning out high-quality, American-made products that are used for auto manufacturing, construction materials and much more.
Recent investments in our region’s transportation network are bolstering our competitiveness. Upgrades to our inland waterway system, including repairs to the Emsworth and Dashields locks and dams and the replacement of Locks and Dam 4 at Charleroi, are improving the flow of commodities along the Monongahela and Ohio rivers. And mega projects like the terminal modernization program at Pittsburgh International Airport are further strengthening our region’s transportation infrastructure.
While many forecasts show choppy economic waters ahead, the future looks bright for Southwestern Pennsylvania. It’s imperative that local, state and federal leaders do everything they can to translate our numerous advantages into continued success.
Sam Juliano
North Versailles
The writer is vice president of the North Versailles Township Board of Commissioners and president of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Commissioners.