Gas-rich Ohio is in the running for a $2 billion chemical plant

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A giant chemical plant that processes natural gas is coming to the Midwest and Ohio leaders hope the state's newly tapped gas deposits, coupled with growing industries that use gas products, make Ohio the favored location.

Shell Chemical is finalizing plans for a $2 billion complex that is expected to create hundreds of jobs and pull other industries and manufacturers into its orbit. Shell has said only that it plans to build in either West Virginia, Pennsylvania or Ohio, three states that overlay ancient shale beds rich in natural gas.

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The plant needs hundreds of acres of land, according to Dan Carlson, Shell Chemical's general manager of new business development in the Americas. Shell would also like access to railroads, river barges, a skilled workforce and university researchers, Carlson said via email.

"What we're looking for is cost-effectiveness and ease in moving this project forward quickly," he added.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich flew to Houston in late November to make a personal pitch to Shell executives and the state has provided written appeals from the governor's Republican allies and Democratic rivals alike, including Democratic House Minority Leader Armond Budish of Beachwood and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown.

http://www.cleveland.com/shalegas/index.ssf/2012/01/gas-rich_ohio_is_in_the_runnin.html