Chester County close to landing 1,400 more jobs with $1.6 billion plant

Chester County is on the verge of landing the biggest single economic development investment in county – and state – history.

“Project 1429” is the economic development codeword for a $1.6 billion cellulosic renewable diesel facility that would employ as many as 1,400 people.

County officials have declined to identify the company or to say where the plant will be built.

The investment is almost three times larger than the $560 million Giti Tire plant now under construction near Richburg. The Giti plant is expected to create 1,700 jobs.

The new facility will produce renewable fuel derived from wood or other plant material.

The Chester County Council is scheduled to hold a final reading on tax breaks for the company at a specially called meeting on Dec. 29. Councilman Alex Oliphant has excused himself from deliberations about the project because he owns property that could be affected.

The name of the company will not be released at that meeting, said Karlisa Parker, Chester County’s economic developer. County officials have agreed not to name the company, Parker said, and the company itself is expected to announce its plans in February.

Projects of this size typically qualify for a variety of state incentives. It is the state Department of Commerce’s policy not to comment on possible projects.

Commerce officials said the previous economic development project with the largest investment was Bridgestone Americas at $1.2 billion.

This story was originally published December 19, 2015 at 3:03 PM with the headline "Chester County close to landing 1,400 more jobs with $1.6 billion plant."