THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

June 2013 — Celebrating Small Business in Small Towns

MAIN ARTICLES

Secrets to Success: Businesses in Towns Continue to Flourish — Business Matters takes a look at what makes doing business in downtown areas special and how towns across the county are working to continue their success. Along with the city of Butler, highlights include: Evans City, Harmony, Mars, Saxonburg, Slippery Rock and Zelienople.

Tried-and-True Formula: Franchises Help Steer Entrepreneurs in Right Direction — People don’t often think of franchises as small businesses. But more often than not, the individual who owns and operates the local chain establishment is just a neighbor who acted on his or her entrepreneurial instincts.

Navigating the Maze: Events Guide Small Businesses Through Affordable Care Act — As new regulations come out daily regarding the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, many businesses remain uncertain of the law’s impact. Two events in May were aimed at helping businesses navigate the maze of new regulations.

Q&A

New Face of Space: Office Furniture Changes with Technology — Brothers Kevin, Paul and Brian Delaney of Delaney Brothers in Cranberry Township talk to Business Matters about the world of office furniture and how it has changed over the years.

YOUR VOICE

Estate Planning: Small Business Owners Should Consider — Tim Sechler, a partner at Heritage Elder Law & Estate Planning in Butler, writes about the changing landscape of estate planning and how it impacts small business owners.

BUSINESS PROFILE

Purchasing Power: String of Acquisitions Helps Fuel Growth at II-VI — Advanced optics maker II-VI Inc. headquartered in Clinton Township had a busy end to 2012, closing on three acquisitions priced at a total of $136 million. Now, it is poised for even more growth.

ALSO FEATURED

Toast to Tourism: Bureau Celebrates at Alpaca Palace — The Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau celebrates the thriving tourism industry and the money it brings into Butler County.

Old Laws, New Interpretations: Human Resources Group Holds Forum — The Butler Human Resources Association holds its annual HR Forum at Butler County Community College. Highlights included presentations explaining new interpretations of existing labor and employment laws, how to use metrics to manage talent, and how to develop leaders and engage employees.

Security Matters: Tech Symposium to Focus on Cyber Issues — The Tri-County Technology Consortium, Butler County Community College and the Butler County Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to present a June 25 seminar on cyber security for businesses.

Comeback Time: Manufacturing Advocate Touts ‘Reshoring’ — Harry Moser, founder of the Reshoring Initiative, during the grand opening of Morris Great Lakes’ new headquarters in Cranberry Township speaks about bringing manufacturing jobs back to the United States.

VEKA Inc. Celebrates 30 Years in North America with Plant Tours, Lunch — VEKA Inc., which has 25 extrusion facilities in 20 countries worldwide, celebrated 30 years of doing business in North America at its North American headquarters near Zelienople.

Distinguished Service: Award Winners Honored at Annual Dinner — Chris Ziegler and Lisa Nicholas Konesni were honored as this year’s recipients of the Distinguished Service Award, presented annually by the Rotary Club of Butler and the Butler Eagle.