O’Brien rolls out a local jobs plan

Lackawanna County Commissioner Corey O’Brien called for sweeping investment in local infrastructure Thursday, laying out the first policy position of his primary challenge to Congressman Paul Kanjorski (D-11).

At events in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties, and later in a policy statement and a phone interview, O’Brien said his “Project Main Street” plan would replace aging infrastructure, bury utility lines, widen sidewalks and renovate small business facades. He indicated that much of the costs, which he did not quantify, could be covered by federal funds and matching grants from public-private partnerships.

“Not only will we create short-term construction jobs to get people back to work quickly,” he said in remarks prepared for delivery, “but we will reward our small businesses and provide them with opportunities for long-term growth and expansion, creating long-term, sustainable jobs.

“The key component of this is that it is designed to reward existing small businesses,” he added in an interview. “It will also create temporary and permanent family-sustaining jobs, improve infrastructure and restore pride in our community.”

O’Brien is expected to face an uphill battle against the longtime incumbent Kanjorski, who has been vulnerable in recent general elections but is still seen as relatively popular among Democrats.