Economic growth was a major factor in Butler County in 2011.

The county’s unemployment rate was in the 6 to 7 percent range which was well under the national rate of about 9 percent.

NexTier Bank struck an agreement with the Snyder Group of Kittanning in February that will allow the bank to remain independent.

The Snyder Group became NexTier’s majority shareholder and made an initial investment of $2 million, which is 9.9 percent of overall investment.

In November 2010, a merger between NexTier and Northwest Savings Bank of Warren, Pa., fell apart because of unspecified deficiencies found by regulators with Northwest.

In Cranberry Township, Traco hired more than 200 workers. Alcoa of Pittsburgh bought the window manufacturer in 2010 and decided to grow the company.

Before the hiring, the company had 643 employees.

The Butler Health System added outpatient clinics in Saxonburg and Slippery Rock.

The Marriott Fairfield Inn and Suites in Slippery Rock opened in October.

The project originally broke ground in 2007, but was not given a building permit until 2010 and was continually held up by lease and permit issues. A temporary occupancy permit finally allowed the hotel to open.

The 75-room hotel on Route 108 can staff up to 14 employees.

ESM opened a $7 million addition in April and added 30 jobs. It makes magnesium powder for the steel industry.

Shop ’n Save grocery opened a store in Cranberry Township, creating 200 jobs in April.

Lutheran SeniorLife Passavant Retirement Community got the final OK to build a $56.8 million expansion and renovation project in Zelienople.

The entire project is to be done in 2014.

Several projects are potentially planned along Route 356 in Buffalo Township.

A developer wants to build a medical facility, and a hotel. The Cabot Resources Corp. said it wants to build a hotel behind the park-and-ride lot near the Routes 356 and 28 interchange.

Additionally, there is a potential for new retail businesses in the South Pike Square shopping center.