PITTSBURGH - Building trade representatives and business leaders from Butler County threw their support behind Butler Memorial Hospital's board of directors Tuesday in the quest for a new hospital.

A press conference held at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 5 on Pittsburgh's South Side featured Bob Thomas, president of the Butler County Building Trades Council; Diane Sheets, deputy director of the Community Development Corporation of Butler County; and Stan Kosciuszko, Butler County Chamber of Commerce president.

Each organization's board announced its support of the hospital board and its decision to build a new facility.

"Whether that means renovation and expansion on the hospital's current site or a new hospital on a different site, we support the board's efforts," Sheets said on behalf of the CDC.

Thomas explained that members of the county's building trade groups approached the hospital about their support a few months ago.

"We know we need a new hospital with the county's growth and the number of older residents. The current hospital is bursting at the seams and we support a new hospital," Thomas said.

He added a new hospital would help create jobs in the county.

"Our guys deserve the best health care they can get, and a new hospital with world-class facilities will provide that kind of care," Thomas said.

The trade organizations in Butler County that support the hospital board are:

1. Asbestos Workers Local 2

2. Boilermakers Local 154

3. Bricklayer and Allied Crafts Local 9

4. Bridge and Iron Workers Local 3

5. Carpenters Local 922

6. Electricians Local 5

7. Laborers Local 323

8. Masons Local 526

9. Millwrights and Pile Drivers Local 2235

10. Operating Engineers Local 66

11. District Council 57 of the Painters, Drywall Finishers and Glaziers

12. Plasterers Local 31

13. Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 47

14. Roofers Local 37

15. Sheet Metal Workers Local 12

These groups represent thousands of workers, many of whom live in the county, Thomas said.

The CDC board voted in January to support the hospital board.

Sheets said the quality of health care not only effects the quality of life for county residents, but also helps the CDC, the economic development agency in the county, attract new companies.

"Currently we are talking to national and international companies, and the health care is an important part of those talks," Sheets said.

The chamber board supports the hospital board because "as the largest business organization in Butler County, representing close to 600 businesses and professionals, we realize the importance of state-of the-art health facilities as assets to the overall quality of life."

John Righetti, hospital spokesman, said Tuesday afternoon the hospital appreciates these support announcements for several reasons.

"First, it comes from such a broad base of labor, development and business," he said. "Second, these groups approached us and told us that the quality of health care in the community is important to them and their families."

Hospital officials have said they intend to build a new hospital, but have not yet said where that may be.

The existing hospital in on East Brady Street in both Butler and Butler Township.