It's a sad statement on the general economic climate in northeastern Pennsylvania a business leaves and the building remains empty.

But that's not what happened in Rush Township. Although it's true that businesses along the Route 309 corridor in the Hometown area have left, they've been replaced. Somehow, Rush continues to revitalize."It's an area that's easily accessible from Tamaqua, Hazleton and Pottsville," said Rush Township Supervisor Robert Leibensperger. "Our tax rates are low and it's cheaper for a business to locate here.""I also think that business owners who have talked to the board of supervisors find out that we're receptive," he said. "We're developing the infrastructure and support to help businesses locate and also expand."In recent years, numerous businesses closed, such as Fox Trucking and Agnosti's Food Market. The hulking cinder block building which housed Fox Trucking along Route 309 was demolished, making way for a Turkey Hill with adjacent car wash.Agnosti's Food Market was revamped to become Hometown Village Square, home to Nancy's Fresh Cut Market, Hometown Village Pharmacy, Pamcakes, and Guy's Flowers and More."We live in Lake Hauto and were familiar with the store and building," said Nancy Pilla, who owns and runs Nancy's Fresh Cut Market, a specialty grocery store with a focus on quality meats."It was my husband's idea to buy the building, but we didn't want a big store.""Once we started working on the remodeling, the other stores came to us," she said. "All the other stores here fit well together, making sure to be able to offer specialty items and individual customer attention and service."McDonald's Restaurant has long been an anchor for the Route 309 and Route 54 intersection. Under new ownership, the establishment has undergone a $500,000 remodel, redoing the playroom, establishing outdoor eating areas, installing extensive landscaping and completely remodeling the inside areas.Across Lincoln Drive from McDonald's, a pool supply company has been replaced by Keystone Medical.Owners Chris and Jennifer Evans of Barnesville also own medical supply stores in Jim Thorpe and Pottsville; they chose the site for its accessibility."This is a midpoint for people from various directions of travel," Jennifer Evans said at the store's grand opening. "The demographics in the area support this type of business, and we wanted to make it more convenient for the older people in our area to be able to shop for the things that help them maintain their independence."Heading north, new businesses include Kupres Twins Photography and Basile's Restaurant. Basile's was home to a truck stop; the new restaurant wasn't open long before the owners added on to the dining area, creating a room suitable for banquets or family gatherings.Leibensperger said that he's noticed a trend in Rush Township. The people who become familiar with the area by shopping there are moving there. The same is true for the people who own or are employed by the businesses, he said."We are a community that has good police and fire protection, and nonclustered housing," he said. "We've recently completed a Safe Route to School project for the Rush Township Elementary School (part of Tamaqua School District)."Supervisor Jeanine Motroni agreed."It's a nice, quiet place to live," she said of the township. "A lot of people come to the area to shop at Walmart, but from there they go to the local shops."The township also puts a great degree of importance on maintaining and improving its recreational offerings, such as Miller Park, Leibensperger said. Also, the township launched a curbside recycling program last year to benefit residents."People come here to shop," Leibensperger said. "But once they get to know the area better, they come here to live."