Daniel Rossi-Keene

Daniel Rossi-Keene has lived in Beaver County for 15 years.

Daniel Rossi-Keene has lived in Beaver County for 15 years.

He runs a local community development nonprofit called Riverwise.

He runs a local community development nonprofit called Riverwise.

He's touring me through small town after small town along the Ohio River, past lots of people in Pittsburgh sealers beanies, plus boarded up storefronts and closed down factories and power plants.

He's touring me through small town after small town along the Ohio River, past lots of people in Pittsburgh sealers beanies, plus boarded up storefronts and closed down factories and power plants.

Fourteen years ago, some residents were convinced that a new plant would reverse Beaver County's decline.

Fourteen years ago, some residents were convinced that a new plant would reverse Beaver County's decline.

It's the height of the shale boom.

It's the height of the shale boom.

Pennsylvania and neighboring states were one of the largest sources of natural gas in the whole country.

Pennsylvania and neighboring states were one of the largest sources of natural gas in the whole country.

And Shell announces it's going to build a plant that turns that gas into the plastic you'd find in water bottles and toys and car parts right in Beaver County.

And Shell announces it's going to build a plant that turns that gas into the plastic you'd find in water bottles and toys and car parts right in Beaver County.

There will be new jobs and tax revenue and prosperity, just like the old days.

There will be new jobs and tax revenue and prosperity, just like the old days.

But instead of steel, it's plastic.

But instead of steel, it's plastic.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania granted a $1.65 billion tax break, the largest in its history.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania granted a $1.65 billion tax break, the largest in its history.