Tacoma: Consider benefits of methanol plant

As a retired educator, the success of our young people has always been important to me. The boards I serve on care about helping youth overcome challenges they face by providing them with the necessary tools and skills to graduate from high school with a plan for their future.

We’ve lost a number of large companies in Tacoma over the last 10 years, which means there is less money coming in to our economy and to organizations that provide the social services to help our young people and families.

With the loss we’ve experienced in our community, I feel the Northwest Innovation Works methanol plant project can offer young people support by providing livable-wage jobs and the necessary funding for our social services.

I believe the environmental impact statement process by the city will lead to the right decision as far as safety and environmental concerns. These issues are very important, and I believe the risks need to be thoroughly investigated and mitigated if the project goes forward.

I hope full consideration will also be given to the benefits this project can bring to our community.

This story was originally published January 25, 2016 at 11:21 AM with the headline "Tacoma: Consider benefits of methanol plant."