Year in review: business
Businesses affect many aspects of our lives, from where we work, to where we shop, eat and play.
Butler County is home to businesses of all sizes, across many industries, which have helped grow the communities they serve.
While some businesses have closed shop, others have replaced them or even expanded.
There also were some prominent leaders within the business community who retired last year after long careers in helping make Butler County what it is today. But there is, and always will be, a next man or woman up mentality.
One ongoing business story that began to develop early in 2024 that still lingers is that of Cleveland-Cliffs.
A proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Energy early in the year was set to undermine the production of grain oriented electrical steel — produced domestically only at Butler Works — which Butler County Commissioner Leslie Osche said would have ripple effects on every community in county.
She said the loss of one manufacturing job typically results in the loss of two or more jobs that support that manufacturer. The payroll at the Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant is significantly higher than any other business in Butler County at around $100 million annually, which brings in a lot of tax revenue.
In April, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm visited the Butler Works plant and announced it would receive a $75 million grant from the department to further increase the facility’s energy efficiency.
Granholm’s visit follows the department’s final ruling April 4 on energy standards, which gives Cleveland-Cliffs until 2029 to increase the efficiency of its grain oriented electrical steel.
Like Osche said, when a business closes, it has ripple effects in the communities. That was the case when the Save A Lot at 300 Pullman Square announced it would be closing in February 2024.
Save A Lot was situated just inside the Butler city limits, and Mayor Bob Dandoy said he was surprised and disappointed by the news, as it will impact those with limited transportation.
“We are struggling now in the city,” Dandoy said. “We are a food desert, and we are trying to find at least one grocery store to come that is within walking distance of most of our residents or a short drive.”
In May, the Butler County Chamber of Commerce expanded its services through a partnership with Entrepreneurs Forever, a Pittsburgh-based peer group program designed for small-business owners to share their experiences, learn from each other and solve problems that they collectively might be facing.
Butler County Chamber of Commerce president Jordan Grady said he thinks the program will have a strong impact in Butler County down the line once local business owners participate, improving their business and thus improving economic activity.
Over the spring and summer months, members of the business community stepped away from their long-standing roles.
The McDonald’s at the Greater Butler Mart has gone through many changes in 30 years, including a complete remodel in summer 2023, but one thing that had remained consistent since 1993 was Martha Kennedy.
Kennedy had been a fixture in the community for 30 years and has officially retired to step aside and enjoy life outside the golden arches.
Jim Boltz, who had been the president of the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber of Commerce for the past 10 years officially retired in July and was replaced with Denise Martin.
Jack Cohen, who has served as president of the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau since 2003, officially retired in July and was replaced by Amy Pack.
In October, Butler based Armco Credit Union merged with Swindell Dressler Credit Union, which will help bolster its footprint in the Pittsburgh region.
The merger, which became official Sept. 1, adds a fifth branch location for Armco at 4712 Clairton Blvd. in Pittsburgh. It will be known as the South Hills branch and is the credit union’s first branch outside of Butler County.
After months of renovation, the new True Value hardware store at 990 New Castle Road officially opened Oct. 18.
The store’s full name is Rumburg True Value, after the building’s owner JR Rumburg, who purchased it two years ago.
Throughout the past year, some Butler County businesses have been banding together to form business groups within their respective communities.
Jeff Cuny, owner of LaserTek Solutions on Mars-Evans City Road, is also the founder of Mars-Evans City Business Group, which meets on the first Thursday of each month to discuss business strategies and common problems they might be facing.
Colleen Coulter, manager at Family Tradition Restaurant in Harrisville, has been attempting to accomplish the same goals with a group she started called the Harrisville Borough Business Association, which is also looking to help spearhead community events.
After months of waiting on construction, the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen at Alameda Plaza in Butler Township officially opened up on Dec. 4.
Wrapping up 2024, announcements on the national level left an impact in Butler County.
In December, discount retailer Big Lots announced it is preparing to close all of its locations across the United States, which includes its Butler Township location at Alameda Plaza. Employees at the Butler location said they were told by management the store will remain open until early March 2025.
Party supply retailer Party City announced it’s going out of business and immediately closed all its stores after nearly 40 years, including its Cranberry Twp location on Route 19.
