McCarrier

More than 125 developers, real estate agents, prospective businesses and other economic development agency representatives met for lunch Monday at Pullman Business Park.

Invited by the Community Development Corporation of Butler County, those in attendance met to learn more about the CDC's latest park building.

The former Pullman-Standard maintenance shop has been completely renovated, said Ken Raybuck, the CDC's executive director.

The 30,000-square-foot building includes a sprinkler system, two cranes, parking and an office area.

"Everything is new except the steel and the concrete," Raybuck said.

The building is the first to be ready for either sale or lease in the 40-acre addition to the park the CDC bought about five years ago.

Raybuck said the infrastructure for the rest of the park is in place and ready for businesses.

"We will either sell the land or build and lease facilities to businesses interested in locating here," he said.

Next to the CDC building stands the soon-to-be completed Butler Transit Authority hub, with buildings for buses and offices for the authority staff.

John Paul, the authority's executive director, said he believes the building will be occupied and functioning by December, with a dedication event in January.

William McCarrier, former Butler County commissioner and longtime CDC board member, said the development of the rest of Pullman Business Park is exciting for the economic development agency.

"You know, we've done more here (Butler County) with five employees than other counties have done with 20 employees on the county payrolls," McCarrier said.