Cranberry Township’s growth is destined to continue for a number of years, according to the township’s chief strategic planning officer, and that’s good news for the township’s and county government’s coffers.

Not only will that growth allow this county to continue to defy difficult economic times, but it will bring additional people here.

And, Cranberry’s growth will have a spillover effect to other nearby municipalities, not only on the residency front but also in terms of new business development.

The township’s chief strategic planning offcer, John Trant, made his prediction last week at a luncheon of The CHAMBER of Commerce — a luncheon at which planning professionals from Marshall and Pine townships in northern Allegheny County also offered optimistic projections about their communities.

But based on that session it seems Cranberry is ahead of the other two in terms of the amount of growth likely in the years ahead.

Trant predicted that Cranberry’s population in 2025 will be 43,000, 15,000 more people than what the township recorded in 2010.

He said there are 4,000 acres of developable land left in the township.

Cranberry is testimony to the fact that good infrastructure is a magnet for development, both residential and commercial, and infrastructure development in the township is continuing.

A $6.2 million sewer extension will be completed in 2013 while a $3 million water extension — which will provide a 95 percent increase in water capacity in the township — is targeted for completion next year.

Meanwhile, on the transportation front next year, construction will begin on the new Interstate 79 ramps on Route 228, and widening of Freedom Road will continue.

It’s no surprise that Cranberry was largely responsible for the county’s placement in the top 10 nationally last year for the percentage of job growth in the country.

And Cranberry boasts a young population — the median age is 38 — and the township boasts good averages for household income ($84,000) and home value ($231,000).

The numbers demonstrate that, while the nation is experiencing ongoing economic doldrums, Cranberry is an oasis of opportunity and optimism.

There are people who don’t like what Cranberry has become; they regard it as too congested. However, Cranberry has done well in dampening that perception by all the improvements that have been made.

Cranberry is indeed a Butler County oasis that seems destined to provide much more good than bad in the years ahead.

People here should remain upbeat about what the township has accomplished and about the prospects for more progress in the years ahead.