On this page, we recently celebrated the creation of 600 permanent jobs at a methane cracker plant opening soon in Beaver County.

However, this week commissioners and supervisors from four counties — Butler, Armstrong, Clarion and Venango — as well as elected officials explored ways to save that same number of jobs from being lost.

At a Wednesday meeting in Venango County, officials were warned that hundreds of jobs could be lost without necessary upgrades that would allow the Allegheny Clarion Valley Industrial Park on Pennwest Way to remain open.

The Allegheny Township industrial park is home to eight businesses and employs about 600 people from the four counties.

At the meeting, Joe Saeler — executive director of the Butler County Community Development Corp. — told regional officials the park needs $250,000 to get out of debt after two funding sources dried up.

Its sewer system requires a $1.5 million repair, while a $2.5 million to $3 million upgrade to the water and collection systems at the sewer plant could extend service to 200 nearby homes and any future businesses along the Route 80 corridor if that infrastructure were available.

The project would cost between $4 million and $5 million and take six to eight years to complete.

On the other hand, Saeler said a larger project that goes beyond merely repairing current issues at the sewer and water systems could attract development and save the 600 existing jobs at the site.

At a time when township budgets are tight, it’s understandable that such a costly project might give local leaders pause.

But there’s an expression you have to spend money to make money, and Mark Gordon — the county’s chief of economic development and planning — noted how it’s easier to seek grants and low-interest loans if several counties work together.

And that is exactly what they should do: collaborate.

Butler County commissioner Kevin Boozel fears the risk of losing the 600 jobs increases if all four counties are not involved. “Residents will be on their own, and we really don’t want that to happen,” he said.

Boozel pointed out the site’s limited infrastructure could scare away potential developers.

So, not only are 600 jobs at risk, but the potential to attract new businesses could also be squandered if the issue is not remedied.

Commissioners at the meeting wanted more information — for example, financial information from the Allegheny Clarion Valley Development Corp., which operates the park.

But we agree with the enthusiastic views of the project exhibited at the meeting, from Venango County Commissioner Chip Abramovic’s contention a developed Route 80 corridor could be a “gateway to the Allegheny National Forest” to state Sen. Scott Hutchinson’s remark that it could “preserve lots of local jobs.”

The meeting’s attendees will now go back home to determine what roles their counties will play in the project. We hope Butler County does its part.