BUFFALO TWP — Before Dan Przybylek ends his tenure as a township supervisor at the end of the year, he hopes to see more commercial development that he’s cultivated begin to germinate along Route 356.

“I’m trying to get people to buy into the concept,” he said in an interview.

Przybylek’s sales pitch is working. Various projects are proposed for the highway.

“Some things seem to be breaking,” he said.

Some of those commercial developers met on Friday morning with Przybylek and representatives of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, a regional planning agency, to discuss the concept of an expanded business corridor.

Dave Johnston, Butler County planning director, supports Przybylek’s vision.

“This area has undergone significant growth and development, but there is untapped potential down here,” Johnston said at the meeting.

Among the projects proposed are a 60-acre development at the Route 28 interchange. Developer Nick Moraitis, who has an option to buy the land, has pegged a Hampton Inn with 119 rooms, a Quaker Steak & Lube restaurant with a large banquet room, a Huddle House restaurant and a Taco Bell for the site.

The Cabot Resources Corp. plans to build a 70-room hotel on roughly three acres behind the park-and-ride.

However, what won’t come to fruition is a Dollar General store next to the Yellow Jacket Square shopping center. That company has abandoned plans to build there.

Jill Byers, development specialist for the southwestern commission, talked about possible state funding for projects that create jobs. However, she said there may be no money available once pending changes to the guidelines occur.

Along with commercial development, the Freeport School District is planning for growth. However, proposed construction of new school buildings is not imminent.

“It’s years away before any ground’s broken,” said school board member Dave Heilman.

William Reilly, district business manager, said state funding to the district will decrease by $1 million this coming fiscal year. He quashed reports of a new sports facility.

“There’s no talk about a stadium at this time,” he said.

But Przybylek is glad there is talk about hotels, restaurants and a possible business incubator.

“I know it’s tough times,” he said about the economy. “(But) it’s no excuse to be dormant.”