Two General Motors dealerships in the Butler County area received word today they will remain open.

GM sent letters to about 1,000 dealers nationwide saying they will close by December 2010 as part of the automaker's attempt to lower costs and to increase sales.

Dennis Baglier, owner of Buick GMC Mazda on Route 8 south of Butler, said he got word that his dealership would not get a letter of closure.

"Its great news," he said. "We didn't really expect to get the letter, but then you never know about things. But its good to know."

Eddy Esposito, president of Grove City Auto Mall, also said his dealership will keep selling GM vehicles.

As of mid-afternoon today, neither Tom Henry Chevrolet on Route 8 in Bakerstown nor Kenny Ross Chevy Geo Buick North on Route 19 in Jackson Township were available for comment.

Alan Strezeski, owner of Troy-Alan Buick Cadillac in Kittanning, Troy-Alan Chevrolet Oldsmobile in Slippery Rock and Troy-Alan Pontiac Buick in Mercer, said that about 2:30 p.m. today he had not heard one way or another on his dealerships.

"I'm taking this as no news is good news," he said.