One of the few remaining signs of a human presence in the former Pullman Standard factory complex is this coat that has survived a plant closing, changes in ownership and an auction.

While manufacturing in Butler County is still alive, the complexion of industry has largely changed since 1968.

For most of the 20th century, manufacturing jobs were the most plentiful in the county's many factories both large and small.

AK Steel, formerly Armco, plus Pullman-Standard in Butler Township, in addition to Spang and Co. and Magnetics in East Butler employed thousands during Butler County's industrial years.

The family-sustaining wages allowed workers to spread out to the then-rural townships, buy a home and live the American dream.

But a nationwide drop-off in steel production and other factors in the early 1980s had a significant effect on the county's longtime industrial stature.

The 1982 closing of Pullman-Standard, which cranked out rail cars for almost a century at the site of the current Pullman Center Business Park, was a devastating blow to employment in the county.

How has the community responded?

If a large company were to come into the county, they would find excellent employees locally.

Butler County also boasts the features that a large company or industry looks for when scouting location. Good public and parochial schools, a thriving community college, a university, a top-notch health system and a vibrant arts and social community are all available in Butler County.

Find out more about Butler County's strong ecomomic future in Sunday's Eagle.