JESSUP -- Shovels wrapped in ribbons were thrust into the ground at a groundbreaking ceremony for the Lackawanna Energy Center.
The ceremony marked the official start of construction for the natural gas-fired power plant that has been in the works for several years.
Michael Polsky, the president and CEO of Invenergy, was born in Ukraine and says the project symbolizes his "American dream."
"The system does work," he said. "The right thing will prevail eventually."
Not everyone shares his vision.
The planning process brought passionate protests from people who believe the plant poses a risk to their health and the environment.
"It was a little frustrating, but you know, we endured, and thank God we make it," local developer Bill Rinaldi said.
Officials say not only will the $1.2 billion plant be good for the area's economy, it will make the region's power supply more stable, and improve local infrastructure.
The plant is expected to be up and running in the second half of 2018.
Polsky predicts that occasion will also be cause for celebration.
"It is a tremendous community, tremendous people. I have been here. People are so warm. It's really like a family, and we are very excited," Polsky added.
Bryan Rupp is a recent college graduate who lives about a mile away. He is excited about working on the project as an environmental scientist with HDR Engineering.
"It's clean energy. It brings jobs to the area. It got me a job for a couple months straight, so I could not be happier," said Rupp.
Around 800 people will work on the project during the construction phase. Eventually. it will have about 30 full-time workers.
