Butler County is home sweet home to many individuals, but a particularly encouraging demographic is the young professionals who live in and support the county.

The ever-growing Butler County Young Professionals group spends considerable time and energy trying to improve the county and draw business owners and residents.

Jordan Grady, project coordinator at Alliance for Nonprofit Resources, also chairs Butler County Young Professionals, serves on the board of directors at the Butler County Chamber of Commerce and is the vice president of the Butler AM Rotary.

“I might be overly optimistic, but I feel like we have a great core of young professionals who are focused on developing Butler County,” Grady said. “We need to keep working together.”

He said organizations — such as the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau, Chamber of Commerce and Rotary groups — hold events that allow existing professionals to collaborate and form relationships with younger professionals.

“I like that Butler is a tight-knit community,” Grady said. “I like that there are opportunities with various organizations that put on events.”

He said the Butler County Young Professionals held an event in January that placed future county leaders in the same room with the county's current leaders.

“That's key because it's going to make for a smooth transition in the future,” Grady said.

He said Butler County is unique because it has a small-town feel in the city and a country feel in the outlying townships, but an urban vibe is a short drive away in Cranberry Township.

“That's what I feel will attract future residents,” Grady said.

He also touted the efforts and success of the current board of county commissioners. He pointed to the federal grant the commissioners secured that will fund the Route 228 widening project, so county residents can efficiently access Adams and Cranberry townships.

“They are playing a key role in making Butler County better,” Grady said of Commissioners Leslie Osche, Kim Geyer and Kevin Boozel.

Audrianna Bly, manager of SpringHill Suites and a member of Young Professionals, is Butler County through and through.

The Slippery Rock native, who now lives in Butler, graduated from Butler County Community College and Slippery Rock University.

“I love Butler County and I'm proud to be a resident here,” Bly said.

She said the county is unique because it is full of residents who get along and want to see one another succeed.

“There's so much potential here,” Bly said. “If you ever need volunteers, there are so many people willing to do good for Butler.”

As a young professional, Bly said one thing that Butler needs is more nighttime entertainment opportunities that don't require a drive to Cranberry Township.

“We need nightlife, mainly in the city and township,” Bly said. “We need something for the younger generation, whether it's a comedy club or something like that.”

She said the new breweries dotting the landscape are great for beer and food, but she feels an entertainment venue or two would improve the experience of the county's younger people.

“Now, everything kind of shuts down at 5 p.m.,” Bly said.

Regarding the county's future, Bly said she hopes those who graduate from BC3 will remain in the county to work, rather than leaving.

She also agreed with Grady that professionals both young and old should continue to foster relationships.

“That can sustain Butler County and allow us to bring in more businesses,” she said.

Kristen Kane, who is an event coordinator at Anna Marie's Winery in Summit Township, also belongs to the Young Professionals group.

She appreciates the many volunteer opportunities available in the county as well as the nonprofits that keep them busy.

“Butler has a great sense of community,” Kane said.

She said the positive changes that have been made, including those in downtown Butler, have helped the community, but might not go far enough.

“Young people want to open their own stores, but commercial properties are very high (priced), so that makes having a storefront not even an option,” Kane said.

She said all professionals and their ideas are welcome at Butler County Young Professionals.

“We're always looking for new members and we welcome everyone, including the young at heart.”