THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

May 2013 — Construction & Engineering: Building Your Place in the Industry

MAIN STORIES

Building a Niche: Finding Right Role in the Construction Industry Leads to Success — As it is with any business, finding a niche is key to success, and a number of Butler County construction firms have found different types of projects in which to specialize.

New or Renew: Many Factors Go into Decision on Whether to Build or Remodel — What makes for a successful remodel, and when should a business build new? Business matters takes a look at some businesses currently renovating offices, building new ones or doing both.

Going Pro: Exploring Program Gives Students Firsthand Look at Construction Careers — During the past several months, a handful of high school students has been getting a first-hand, comprehensive look at what a career in the construction industry could entail through an Exploring program facilitated by 4-Most Group Inc. Architects.

Engineering an Opportunity: Diverse Field Offers Solid Growth Prospects, Wages — Business Matters takes a look at the diverse and growing field of engineering by highlighting a number of engineers from county firms, including:
— Andy Cardosi of Herbert, Rowland & Grubic
— Tyler Crummy of Westinghouse
— Gregg Davis of II-VI
— Eric Dunmire of Consolidated Communications
— Rebecca Durfee of II-VI
— John Giles of Future POS
— Donald Hackworth of Westinghouse
— Gary Herrit of II-VI
— Matthew Memmott of Westinghouse
— Buck Neely of BioMost
— Matt Pitschman of II-VI
— Nicole Stadelman of Westinghouse
— John Tyson of Penn State Extension
— Evren Yilmaz of Mecco Marking & Traceability

Q&A

Feast or Famine: Work Slows for Carpenters, But They Prepare to be Ready When Needed — Rick Okraszewski and John McCoy of the Greater Pennsylvania Regional Council of Carpenters speak to Business Matters about the importance of maintaining a highly skilled work force and the challenges of keeping it working.

BUSINESS PROFILE

Back to Basics: Cranberry’s SATCOM Rolling Out Striped-Down Video Service Targeting Commercial Clients — An entrepreneur is launching a national satellite video service from Cranberry Township, and he’s got major players like DirecTV and Dish Network in his crosshairs.

ALSO FEATURED

Strong Foundation: CDC Holds Annual Meeting, Celebrates Longtime Supporters — The Community Development Corporation of Butler County during its annual meeting in April celebrated the strong foundation its members have worked together to create throughout the past 50-plus years.

Butler County a Major Player in Regional Economic Activity — The Pittsburgh Regional Alliance released an economic development report card for the Pittsburgh region, and Butler County has made major contributions.

Service Era: Ground Broken for New VA Building — VA Butler Healthcare breaks ground on its new 168,000-square-foot building in Butler Township.

Power Play: Large Electric Consumers May Want to Lock in Rates as Hikes are Forecast — The shuttering of coal-fired electric generation plants could impact pricing for some customers because of cleanup costs and rising capacity charges.

Thank You: Hospice Care Director Earns Employee of Year Award — Judy Connelly, director of hospice patient care services at the Butler VNA, was given the Butler County Chamber of Commerce’s annual Employee of the Year Award.

Game Changer: XTO Gives Sneak Peek of Gas Recovery Plant — XTO Energy in April provided about 100 municipal and educational officials a sneak peek at its new natural gas liquids recovery facility on Hicks Road in Penn Township.

Teaming Up: BHS Partners with UPMC, Highmark for New Ventures — Butler Health System announced it is partnering with UPMC and Highmark for two new but separate ventures related to radiation oncology and neurological diseases.

PHOTO FEATURES

Armstrong executives and staff on April 18 hosted about 200 friends and business partners at the Butler Country Club in Penn Township to celebrate 50 years of cable television services in Butler County.