The Voice of Vibrancy
Letter From The President
Welcome to 2025! Serving as your President continues to be one of the greatest honors of my life. As I approach my sixth year at the helm in July, I reflect on our journey together—filled with both challenges and triumphs.
Over these years, what stands out the most is the invaluable relationships we ’ ve built and your relentless efforts, that have propelled our Chamber into one of the nation’s finest. I am truly grateful to work alongside such exceptional professionals.
Here’s my commitment to you: I will persist in advocating fiercely for our businesses and organizations. Butler County is undoubtedly the best place to live, work, play, and grow a business, and I am dedicated to ensuring it remains so.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your unwavering support of the Chamber and for joining me on this incredible journey. Let’s strive together to make 2025 a record-breaking year.
Yours in service,
Jordan Grady
Jordan Grady, Butler County Chamber of Commerce
#BowTieBusinessGuy
Important Information
Advertising Opportunities Coming Soon! As an E-Newsletter, we are currently gathering essential data to accurately determine our rates. Stay tuned!
To feature your good news in our monthly newsletter, please submit it to the Chamber of Commerce by the 15th of each month. Don't forget to include a high-resolution logo!
Our online membership directory attracts nearly 100,000 unique IP addresses each year. Make sure to check out your member profile and keep it up-to-date!
Our email list reaches nearly 5,000 active subscribers, boasting open and click rates well above the national industry average! Each email blast is packed with all things Chamber, along with submitted content and resources designed to help you expand your network.
Important Information
This strategic alliance with Green Climate Energy Consulting allows the Chamber to collaborate closely with its members and other businesses across Butler County to lower their energy spend.
Explore our event offerings designed to expand your network and create new opportunities! Remember, your network is your net worth, and we are here to help you enhance it.
In partnership with Guardian Protection, get a smart home security system for free! Offer exclusively for residential customers.
Use Promo Code 2866
In 2024, we invested in transforming an office into a professional-grade podcast studio. We're excited to soon launch "The Ballad of Butler County," showcasing local entrepreneurs and executives. Plus, this space will be available for you to record your own content—free of charge!
We've recently transformed a portion of our office into a conference room that can seat 30, complete with whiteboards and A/V equipment. This space is available for free to all members!
Featured Article
Welcome To A Bank That Believes In Small Business.
Huntington is committed to your business, from start-up to expansion. The Lift Local Business program offers loans, planning support, and other services to help you achieve your goals. We look out for you so you can look out for what’s best for your business, your family, and your customers. That’s what makes Huntington the No. 1 SBA lender in the country.
Lift Local Business Loan Features:
• Loan amounts from $1,000 to $150,000.
• Access to capital at a low cost to your business.
• Zero origination fees.
• SBA fees paid for by Huntington.
• Lower credit score requirements.
• Free financial entrepreneurial courses by Operation Hope.
• No monthly service fee to maintain a business checking account
• Longer repayment terms to help avoid high payments.
Huntington Bank is the #1 SBA lender in the country.
Joe Lisowski, VP at Huntington Bank and Butler County Chamber Board Member
Featured Small Business
Wrecktify Collision, in the heart of Butler City for the past 30 plus years, has been a trusted collision repair facility to the community. Erin Conley has been leading the team since 2017, and has made some big changes to the company. From multiple additions and rebranding, one thing that hasn’t changed and has always been the focus is customer service. The team at Wrecktify take a lot of pride in being a caring, reliable, and trustworthy collision repair facility. Their goal is to have a worry free “one-stop” repair process. Arranging everything from tows to rental cars and keeping you updated while your vehicle is in the shop are just some of the ways they are meeting these goals.
Setting them apart from the competition starts with using the highest quality materials, OEM parts, manufacturer repair procedures, and the latest equipment to repair vehicles. It is how they are getting vehicles back on the road safely and quickly as possible. Their work is not only dependable, but comes with a lifetime workmanship warranty.
“The people at Wrecktify are friendly, professional and great at communicating with you every step of the way. They are prompt and transparent about everything they’re doing and will keep you up to date! Not only was the finished product better than when I got my vehicle, but they buffed and polished it. Overall the experience was delightful, bar none. They take their work and community serious. Would recommend them to anyone!” Michael Grosse
“Always happy with the work and the customer service. They kept me in the loop every step of the way. In doing so, I was able to light a fire under my insurance companies’ adjuster (who was slow to approve necessary repairs), which got me my car earlier than expected. EXTREMELY SATISFIED CUSTOMER!”
- Suzie Bradrick
In addition, Wrecktify’s consistent aim to support the Butler community through not only quality repairs to keep our roads safer, but also through supporting local events, sports teams, and causes. There is great pride in serving our customers from start to finish and beyond. As they say, “You’ll be a wreck without them!”
Erin Conley,
Owner of Wrecktify Collision and Butler County Chamber Board Member.
Featured Nonprofit
Kid’s Innovation Playground (KiP) is a 501c3 nonprofit with a mission to bridge the educational gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) experiences for children and youth in rural western Pennsylvania. Founder and executive director Lorraine Shaffer is a retired elementary school and computer technology teacher.
KiP has created a much-needed space in Slippery Rock for children to “try-on” a variety of personal enrichment and career paths using several different award-winning curriculums to help deliver STEAM programming. KiP has engaged over 2,000 children in free and low-cost classes.
Recently, Kid’s Innovation Playground was awarded $90,000 through PA Neighborhood Assistance Program – Special Program Priorities. Through this program companies receive a 90% PA tax credit for supporting 24 new classes including two new programs for teens, Girls Coding Drones and It’s Electric: Industrial Controls.
Lorainne Shaffer Executive Director
Kid’s Innovation Playground partners with Slippery Rock University to give their pre-service teachers an opportunity to volunteer to gain valuable experience with children and technology, making them STEAM savvy teachers in the future. KiP provides professional development for educators in western Pennsylvania.
Featured Corporation / Organization
Since opening its doors nearly seven years ago, the SpringHill Suites by Marriott has been a significant driver of economic growth in the City of Butler. Th hotel, featuring 76 suites, an indoor pool, and accommodating meeting space has consistently ranked as one the top-performing hotels in Butler County.
Sefton, General Manager
A key factor distinguishing this Marriott-flagged hotel from its competitors is the quality of management. For the first seven years, the hotel was managed by Audrianna Bly, a seasoned professional in tourism and hospitality. As we bid farewell to Audrianna and extend our best wishes for her future endeavors, we are pleased to welcome Shannon Sefton as her successor. Having been with SpringHill for five years, including the last two as assistant manager, Shannon is well-prepared to take the reins.
The SpringHill Suites remains a vital community hub, offering special rates for groups, and serving as a significant referral source to local restaurants and coffee shops. Under Shannon’s leadership, the hotel is set to continue its role as an important business and community gathering spot in Butler.
Shannon shares her enthusiasm: "I love the tourism and hospitality industry and am blessed to be employed in a position that brings me joy. I also love the City of Butler and look forward to continuing the communityminded culture.”
Shannon
The SpringHill Suites
Member Spotlight & News
NexTier Bank's President & CEO, Clem Rosenberger, was recently honored as the recipient of the Pennsylvania Bankers Association's 2024 William S. Latoff Advocacy Award.
Armstrong was recently awarded Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment funding by the County of Butler to provide services to 95% of the county's unserved and underserved areas.
Fun
Fore All Family Fun Park is excited to announce their newest attraction:
Duckpin Bowling! This unique twist on traditional bowling is perfect for players of all ages and skill levels.
Clem Rosenberger
Duck Pin Bowling @ Fun Fore All
Chamber welcome PAAM Water with their newest asset
Member Spotlight & News
Pennsylvania American Water Completes Acquisition of the Butler Area Sewer Authority Wastewater System.
New Leadership
Center For Community Resources name Brandon Savochka as new Executive Director.
NCB Owner Bob
speaks at chamber event
North Country Brewing Co. is proudly celebrating 20 years in Butler County!
It’s been an incredible journey. NCB was one of the first independent craft breweries in Pennsylvania.
McCafferty
Member Spotlight & News
Cleveland-Cliffs
Selected to Receive
$575 Million in US
Department of Energy
Investments for Two Projects to Accelerate Industrial Decarbonization Technologies
MHY Family Services is pleased to announce the appointment of
Butler County Tourism starting the New Year with a new name: Experience Butler County. This rebranding initiative aims to reflect better the diverse experiences that the county has to offer to visitors.
Samantha Ellwood as the organization’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 6th.
Samantha Ellwood, New CEO of MHY Family Services
Chamber board and County officials tour at Cliffs - Butler Works
Member Spotlight & News
Oliver Outdoor, a family-owned billboard company, acquired over 300 billboard faces from Kessler Outdoor. The acquisition allows Oliver to expand its billboard footprint across Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
Audrianna Bly has joined Jeff Geibel's team at Edward Jones as Branch Office Administrator. Audrianna also serves as chair of Butler Downtown and the Butler County Young Professionals.
BC3 has been ranked the #1 community college in Pennsylvania for the 10th consecutive year. We are Pioneer Proud to have them in Butler County!
The team at Oliver Outdoor
BC3 Staff at the annual pioneer pursuit
Member Spotlight & News
Kelley Skoloda, Independence Health System
Independence Health System is pleased to announce the appointment of Kelley Skoloda as the new Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. recognized by Forbes/SHOOK Research as a 2025 Best-In-State Wealth Management Team!
The Schnur McCance Group was recently
Applications are now being accepted for the Top Tier FCU 2025 Scholarship Program. They will be awarding 5 - $1,000 scholarships.
Lyric Schnur and TJ McCance of Baird
Kelly Bender, Owner of Total Business Solutions
The application is now available for the First Commonwealth Bank College Scholarship Program. They’re accepting applications until February 28, 2025.
Resources For Business
We provide free and confidential one-on-one business counseling by phone, email, and in-person in Southwestern Pittsburgh. We also conduct workshops for both start-up entrepreneurs and seasoned small business owners.
Our mission is to empower all small business owners to grow thriving businesses that sustain their families and support their communities. Services provided for free
The mission of the Small Business Development Center at the University of Pittsburgh is to grow the economy of Western Pennsylvania by providing entrepreneurs with the education, information and tools necessary to build successful businesses.
For more than 65 years, Pursuit, formerly known as New York Business Development Corporation, The 504 Company, and Excelsior Growth Fund, has offered innovative lending solutions to help business owners in CT, IL, NY, NJ, and PA follow their dreams.
Legislative Corner
Sen. Vogel sworn in for 5th term.
Rep. Bonner sworn in for 3rd term.
Sen. Hutchinson sworn in for 4th term.
Rep. Mustello sworn in for 3rd term.
Rep. Bernstine sworn in for 5th term.
Rep. Scialabba sworn in for 2nd term.
Your Monthly Butler County Fun Fact...
Did you know that Butler, PA played a key role in fueling the oil boom? ��
William Horwitz and his partners opened Keystone Pipe & Supply (Now Marmon Keystone) right here to keep up with the booming oil well drilling industry! And it all started in Western PA, where the first oil well was drilled back in the 1850s. ����
What’s Next!
