Each year has its own twists, turns and quirks. Clearly though, 2001 was like no other.

On the morning of Sept. 11 Americans were swept into a new era as terrorists hijacked commercial jets and slammed them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. At that moment fears of a stumbling economy took second place to national horror.

In any other year a recession would have meant an all-out assault on the weakness underlying the economy. But in this situation the U.S. military was ordered to carry out a true counterattack in the mountains and valleys of Afghanistan.

As the months passed daily life for most began to resemble some normalcy locally and throughout the United States. Last year reminded us there is more to a nation than interest rates, 401(k) plans and the gross domestic product. But the business world and non-profit organizations still touch the fabric of our lives.

Today, The Herald continues the tradition of looking back and into the future with the five sections of the Outlook publication. The theme of this year's publication is Foundations to Build On.'' Local businesses and organizations were contacted for their input and ideas on new ventures or projects they started which they hope to build on.

The consensus was the local economy slowed as many manufacturers pulled in their horns. While the local economy cooled, it wasn't as hard hit as in other parts of the country. And there were bright spots locally.

Penn-Northwest Development Corp., Mercer County's lead economic development agency, reported a dozen major projects last year which created 329 new jobs.

Among those were Solar Atmosphere Inc. from the Philadelphia area which created a plant in Hermitage that houses the world's largest vacuum heating furnace which treats metals. FNB Corp.'s Customer Service Center in Hermitage underwent an expansion to help absorb Johnstown-based Promistar Corp. which it purchased.

Also, the former Cooper Energy office in Grove City was filled with workers from U.S. Investigative Services, which conducts background checks on people.

Nearby, development is taking off at AEROpark, west of Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport. The Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber touts expanded runways and a terminal as improved ways to transport cargo quickly.