Despite layoffs and some temporary closures by businesses early in 2009, Butler County's economy has righted itself faster than many counties in the region.

But this area had its share of economic bad news, as well.

II-VI, Napco and Penn United Technologies were among those that cut jobs in response to the downturn.

Indspec idled its plant in Petrolia from March to August waiting for chemical stockpiles to decrease globally and orders to increase. About 250 employees were laid off during the closure with the majority returning when the plant reopened in August.

In Grove City, GE Transportation's engine plant laid off 200 employees. Layoffs at the plant that makes diesel engines for locomotives and boats reduced the staff from 900 to 700.

USF Holland in Mars, ITT F.B. Leopold in Zelienople and the Serco mail center in Thorn Hill Industrial Park all closed, eliminating about 150 jobs.

Seasonally adjusted unemployment grew from 6.1 percent in January to 8 percent in October. However, that remains under the national jobless rate of 10 percent.

But there was also good news.

Westinghouse Electric poured thousands of employees into its new headquarters in the Cranberry Woods business park in Cranberry Township.

Even as that was occurring, the company announced the need for an additional building there. With three other buildings, the Westinghouse headquarters campus will soon house more than 4,000 employees.

The county itself received $16 million in federal stimulus money, and Buffalo Township got $338,000 in federal money for a potential new business park.

Also, the California company BeamOne said it will open a plant in the county and hire 20 workers.

Construction work will also be available.

The Butler Transit Authority is building a $7.5 million first phase of a new transportation center. The Butler Area Sewer Authority will spend nearly $5 million on sewage line work.

The gas industry is looking more at the county as companies search for natural gas from the Marcellus Shale formation in this region.

Diane Sheets, executive director of the Community Development Corporation of Butler County, said throughout the global economic crisis, Butler County has remained more stable and now seems to be bouncing back a bit faster than other counties within the region, state and nation.

"Yes, businesses tightened up a little bit, but now they are looking at diversification within their offices and orders have picked up," she said.

"Westinghouse's growth continues to surprise everyone, including themselves, and while this time of year is usually a quiet one for us, we are getting phone calls from people looking for financing and building sites," Sheets said.

The county's economic stability has been and continues to be attractive to new business, she said.

As for 2010, Sheets said development will start in the new part of Pullman Square Business Park.

"We have three or four projects about to get under way there and more that are under discussion that we hope to announce soon after the new year," Sheets said.