In 2007, the Port Authority for Columbiana County was engaged in several projects of importance to the nation's, state's and region's economy. In scope and size, the $5.5 billion coal to liquid fuels ("CTL") project scheduled for initial site work in 2008, on 1,200 acres near Wellsville was the largest. This project will employ up to 4,000 construction trade workers over a phased five-year construction cycle and create up to 500 permanent high wage jobs. From a national security perspective, the project will help alleviate the United State's dependence upon foreign oil. The plant will produce 55,000 barrels of fuel per day from Ohio coal, utilizing best available environmental engineering practices that will capture all pollutants and sequester carbon dioxide.