From every perspective, recent proposals to build two motels in Butler Township should be regarded as welcome news.

Horizon Properties of Canonsburg this week presented to the township commissioners its sewerage plan for a five-story, 80-room Hampton Inn on a vacant lot near Walmart along New Castle Road. More complete plans for the structure are due for presentation next month

It's the second motel plan in three months for the township. In April, officials approved construction of a four-story, 80-room Holiday Inn Express on Duffy Road, just a few blocks away from the site of the proposed Hampton Inn.

Horizon Properties representative J.P. Morgan cited the pending expansion of the VA Medical Center as a factor in the developer's decision to locate in Butler. VA Butler Healthcare is building a $74 million center at its 16-acre Dershon Woods site adjacent to the existing VA Medical Center. The new center opens in 2015.

Business and tourism leaders say there is a shortage of motel rooms — a condition that becomes apparent at peak tourism times like the past weekend's Jeep Heritage Festival. A slow but steady economic upturn will only increase demand for motels.

Neither of the Butler Township developers seems overly concerned that two motels are planned instead of one. They say their motels cater to two different sets of clientele — and, perhaps, they're confident the community's economy is robust enough to support both motels, not just one.

Both are confident they can operate profitably, paying utility bills and property taxes, providing jobs and supporting payrolls which, in turn, help strengthen nearby businesses.

Officials with the Butler Redevelopment Authority don't seem very concerned the motels might crowd their own Centre City project, a proposed hotel, convention center and parking structure to be built downtown on the block bordered by South Main, East Jefferson, East Cunningham and South McKean streets. Authority Director Art Coldwell says an analysis of the market indicates there's enough potential business for all to succeed.

Indeed, there may be more motel developers attracted to Butler. More motels means more choices, better room rates and a greater variety of services available to customers.

Developers and investors do their homework. They study demographic and business trends to position themselves in the pathway of anticipated commercial growth. They don't spend investors' money without some strong assurance they'll get a good return on their investment.

And they've chosen our community for good reason. And that's a reason to feel good about our community's future.