"Commonwealth One" didn't make it to the Mercer County Career Center Thursday afternoon, but its primary occupant, Gov. Ed Rendell, did.

Rendell's bus, which has carried him to virtually every corner of Pennsylvania, was forced to stay at the state police barracks in Jackson Township after it was determined that the bus wouldn't fit through the railroad tunnel on U.S. Route 62 in Coolspring Township.

That didn't deter Rendell, however, who arrived just about on time for a private meeting with nearly two dozen Mercer County business, economic and political leaders to discuss economic development for the region.

Rendell listened to presentations from Larry Reichard, executive director of Penn-Northwest Development Corp., and Rachel Martin, executive director of the career center. After the presentations, he hosted a question-and-answer session with the local leaders before greeting the local media for a brief news conference.

Many of those who attended were impressed with Rendell.

"The governor is just a great guy and very understanding," said famed Letterman Tony Butala, who was on hand to help promote Sharon's Vocal Group Hall of Fame and Museum. "He was impressed with Mercer County. He said he didn't expect the demands to be as moderate or as intelligent as they were. He liked the plan that certain political people presented. He listened and said the people of Mercer County are pretty much corresponding to their state efforts. So I think everyone came out of the meeting optimistic."

South Pymatuning Township Supervisor Chairman Mike Nashtock certainly did.

"I think it was a very positive event to have the governor here talking about economic development," Nashtock said. "And I think it was a great thing that Sen. (Robert D. "Bob") Robbins and Rep. (Michael C.) Gruitza were able to get him here and we were able to have the governor's ear pretty much undivided for an hour. And this early in his term, I think it's a great thing for the whole county."

Among those invited or on hand were: state Rep. Rod E. Wilt, Sugar Grove Township, R-17th District; Angela Lenzi, manager of Mercer County Career Link; Farrell Mayor Bill Morocco; Charles "Chuck" Bestwick, Mercer County Industrial Development Authority chairman; Sharon Mayor Dave Ryan; Dennis Puko, executive director of the Mercer County Regional Planning Commission; Hermitage City Manager Gary Hinkson; Jim Lowry, executive director of Greenville Area Economic Development Corp.; Kyle Klaric, president of Premier Hydraulics Inc., Farrell; Sharpsville Borough Manager Mike Wilson; Mercer County Commissioner Olivia Lazor; Randy Coleman, district manager of Pennsylvania Power Co.; Steve Gurgovits, chief executive officer of First National Bank of Pennsylvania; Wheatland Mayor Tom Stanton; and James E. Winner Jr., chairman of Sharon-based Winner International.

"I was very impressed, but I've had other meetings with him and I was equally impressed," Winner said. "I think his economic-stimulus package is excellent, I think his heart's in the right place, and I think he wants to change Pennsylvania and we desperately need the change."

Robbins, Salem Township, R-50th District; Gruitza, Hermitage, D-7th District; and Dick Miller, executive director of the Northwest Pennsylvania Cooperation Council, were responsible for bringing the visit about, as well as making recommendations for those who participated, according to Miller.

That combined Republican and Democratic effort of Robbins and Gruitza wasn't lost on Rendell, who has made the spirit of cooperation between the parties a priority since his inauguration, especially when it comes to the economy.

"Economic development is one area where we've put our heads together," Rendell said. "We haven't approached the issue as, 'Will this economic development project be in a Republican area or a Democratic area? Will a Republican senator get credit for it or a Democratic governor?' I think we've approached it in a way that asks, 'Is it good for the people of the region? Is it good for the people of Mercer County?' And I think on economic development it's one area where we've had a real bipartisan approach."