Athens County Economic Development Council Receives $5,000 Grant From AEP Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio, September 22, 2017 — The Athens County Economic Development Council has been awarded a $5,000 grant for economic development by AEP Ohio, a unit of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP).

AEP Ohio awarded the grant to The Athens County Economic Development Council through their Local Economic Assistance Program (LEAP). LEAP provides funding to help local communities grow with a focus on retention and expansion of manufacturing jobs. Through LEAP, AEP Ohio is directing dollars back into the communities they serve to invest in their growth.

The Athens County Economic Development Council will use the grant money to support collaborative efforts to establish several downtown redevelopment districts, infrastructure improvements and the rehabilitation of underutilized buildings into adequate spaces for growing companies throughout Athens County. The project is expected to be completed within three years and create 1,250 jobs, while retaining 17,979 jobs.

“We are very excited about the investment that AEP is making in our local community”, said Sara Marrs-Maxfield, Executive Director of the Athens County Economic Development Council. “These partnerships help us leverage resources so Athens County can reach its economic development goals of quality jobs and opportunities for its citizens”.

The Athens County Economic Development Council was one of 21 local economic development organizations to receive a LEAP grant in 2017.

“AEP Ohio is proud to partner with our communities through our ongoing LEAP grants,” said Tim Wells, manager of economic and business development for AEP Ohio. “Our goal is to help the communities we serve thrive.”