County commissioners agreed Wednesday, Oct. 23, to offer 10 grants of up to $15,000 each to small- and medium-sized manufacturers in the county for technology projects such as robotics, automation and cybersecurity.

The commissioners approved an agreement with Catalyst Connections, an economic development organization, to draft grant guidelines, create marketing material and a website for the grant program, respond to inquiries from businesses, accept and review applications, and make application approval recommendations to the commissioners.

Catalyst Connections is performing the work and receives payment through the federal Build Back Better program.

The $150,000 to provide the grants comes from federal American Rescue Plan Act money allocated to the county.

The grants can cover up to 80% of the project cost, up to $15,000, and the businesses must provide a 20% match of the money they receive.

In grant applications, businesses must detail the economic impact the grant would create, complete the project in 12 months and be up to date on county real estate taxes, said Mark Gordon, county chief of economic development and planning.

Leslie Osche, commissioners chairwoman, said Butler County is the first county in the state to offer such a program.

She said the county has more manufacturing companies than any other county.

Commissioner Kevin Boozel said businesses in the construction, agriculture, warehouse and other industries can benefit from the program.

In other business, the commissioners ratified the return of county-purchased radio equipment to Evans City for use in its police department. The county removed the equipment after the Evans City-Seven Fields Regional Police Department disbanded, but it can be returned now that the borough has police officers, said Steve Bicehouse, county emergency services director. The borough has hired at least one part-time officer.

The commissioners approved $5,500 in funding for the nonprofit Adams Township Training and Community Center toward the $11,000 cost of conducting a feasibility study for a regional aquatics center that would be open to all county residents. The Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau is paying the other half of the study’s cost.

Approved an agreement to provide the Victim Outreach Intervention Center of Butler with $25,000 to provide legal representation to victims of domestic violence.