Butler County Commissioners are expressing optimism on the future, while also acknowledging challenges ahead.
That was the message at yesterday’s Chamber of Commerce State of the County event at the Atrium.
The panel event featured all three commissioners and Chief of Economic Development Mark Gordon.
Commissioner Leslie Osche said the county’s budget was a challenge this year and projects to be an issue in the future.
“We’re right up against our millage cap. We’re currently close to 23 and the max is 25,” Osche said. “Our focus has to be to plan what the next 10 to 25 years are going to look like. And we have to plan very carefully how we are going to step through that.”
Osche acknowledged that reassessment could be a reality for the county, and said that might not be in the too distant future.
But, despite the concern over the budget, all three commissioners looked at a number of positive trends for the county.
“We have survived economic ups and downs because of our manufacturing,” Osche said. “But, that also doesn’t mean that other sectors aren’t thriving. The Independence Health System merger is encouraging, and our schools are outstanding. People are moving here. They want to be here.”
Commissioner Kevin Boozel said even though the southern part of the county is exploding with growth, the county has invested in the north, citing the AC Valley Industrial Park investment.
“The AC Valley project is an opportunity for growth. There’s an added value to Venango and Clarion Counties, and northern Butler County,” Boozel said. “They are going to benefit from the growth and opportunity.”
The AC Valley project was an over $5 million investment, that officials say kept 600 jobs and $30 million in payroll.
Mark Gordon cited the county’s manufacturing industry as a hub of innovation.
“We embrace manufacturing. We have a lot of manufacturing going on today. We have some very unique projects that are being manufactured here today,” Gordon said. He also said that manufacturing jobs have a residual effect on the local economy by supporting retail, housing, and other areas.
The event was presented by Independence Health System, where President Ken DeFurio expressed optimism about the recently announced merger with WVU Medicine.
“If you would have told at this point last year I’d be talking about a merger with WVU Medicine I wouldn’t have believed you,” DeFurio said. “But, they are an innovative health care system that is investing $800 million into Independence Health System.”
