SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — When off-campus housing for Slippery Rock University students in the township experienced a big boom about four years ago, it created a draw for other businesses to move there. That caused a round of developments that continue throughout the area.

John Hines, township supervisor, said that development began when students were given more housing options.

"That started the trend and it just kept growing into establishing off-campus housing," Hines said. "What has happened recently is we have established an infrastructure through a lot of planning and a lot of time in the township for future growth and it is starting to become very attractive to commercial entities."

Automated Robotic Systems will open a new assembly plant for robotic arms on Arrowhead Road this spring. The business' parent company, Marstrand Industries, is a high technology fabricator, according to Wayne Swift, vice president. He said the site's proximity to Interstate 79 was a factor in the decision to move the business into the township.

Hines said one of the key issues that drew the plant here is the low cost and potential for growth in the area. The 24,000-square-foot site includes three buildings, each 8,000 square feet.

Hines said the idea of planning for growth also includes making sure that development is consistent, balanced and controlled. To foster and encourage development, township supervisors rezoned Harmony and Keister Roads to a U-1 District, which is a zone that allows a substantial amount of commercial development.

Hines said the area was previously zoned as residential.

"Weegie's Pizza moved in there already over the past year and this was strategic zoning to keep commercial growth within the central part of the township in the college area, so it isn't sporadically being put out all over the place," Hines said. "It gives opportunity for the commercial growth to be brought in."

Hines said growth and development has been planned in that area to keep it out of the rural districts, keep it close to public utilities, and keep it located around existing commercial zones affiliated with borough growth on Main Street.

"That will allow other desirable commercial planning in the area and it makes it very interesting and draws outside businesses," Hines said.

Another aspect of the township that has promoted economic growth has been residential growth. Hines said when residents move into the area, it entices restaurants and businesses to move in as well.

An innovation center and a new entrance to SRU on Route 108 east of the borough are other developments in the planning stages for the township.

The innovation center, to be built on a 20-acre site by the SRU Foundation, is a building that will allow businesses and companies to come in, get started and expand.

"It gives them a place to get started and expand out into the community," Hines said.

Ed Bucha, executive director of University Advancement and the SRU Foundation, said the foundation has leased 7.5 acres to the Butler Health System for a medical facility at the same site, but said one of the most important aspects of the new development will be the new entrance to campus. Bucha said the road will enter the campus near the water towers.

Hines said the innovation center could play a key role in keeping students who want to create their own businesses in the area.

"The whole idea of trying to create and bring in commercial businesses is to try to create jobs to keep people locally," Hines said. "The whole incentive is to try to keep people in Slippery Rock and keep a draw. That way they can see they don't have to move away. They can stay here."

Hines also said the jobs that will be created at all of these entities are stable and reliable for people in the community.

"These jobs we have coming in with the plant, hospital and innovation center — I see it continuing," Hines said. "These are substantial jobs you can raise a family on and you can have a career with."

Last May, a referendum was approved in the township to allow alcoholic establishments into the area. In a total including the absentee ballots, the malt brewed license referendum came in at 239 voting yes and 225 voting no, while the liquor license referendum came in with 237 votes yes and 231 votes against it.

Hines said the approval of the referendum will allow chain restaurants such as Red Lobster and the Olive Garden to come into the township.

"It will make it more desirable for them to move here," Hines said.

He also said that along with the development and growth of businesses in the township, challenges will naturally arise over time.

"I believe in future growth: you need to control it to the level that is manageable," Hines said. "We encourage growth. Our community has been trying to encourage growth all along, and with the planning that has taken place it is working. Our community has done a great job with that."

Hines is excited to see the kind of growth that will occur when the local, state and national economy improves.

"We are very sound and strong, infrastructurally and financially, and one of the biggest draws for businesses here are the low taxes, proximity to Interstates 79 and 80, the potential room for growth and the growth that is going on in the area right now all adds up to a very desirable location," Hines said. "That's what puts us in the position we are in."

Township Supervisor Paul Dickey said he also expects more development around the university and the township to occur when the recession ends.

"Everyone is expecting more growth to happen sooner or later," Dickey said. "We are close to I-79 and the growth is coming when the recession gets better. With the economy, I think we are doing just fine."

<B>Slippery Rock Township</B><B>Mailing address: </B>P.O. Box 207, 155 Branchton Road, Slippery Rock, PA 16057<B>Township building: </B>Harmony and Branchton crossroads, between Routes 108 and 8<B>Telephone: </B>724-794-2369<B>Fax: </B>724-794-9244<B>E-mail: </B>srtwp@srtwp.com<B>Web site: </B>srtwp.com<B>Secretary: </B>Karen Connell<B>Supervisors: </B>Paul Dickey, John Hines and Terry Doerr<B>Supervisors' meeting: </B>8 p.m. second and fourth Monday of each month<B>Tax rate: </B>3 mills<B>Population: </B>5,445<B>Named for: </B>Slippery Rock Creek<B>Area: </B>25.8 square miles