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This page offers blog posts, news articles and events surrounding Athens County economic and community development efforts.
What the new state budget means for our area
By TYLER BUCHANAN Messenger editor The “great hall” of the former First Christian Church in Athens — now home to the Southeast Ohio History Center — will be renovated for use as exhibit and conference space. The history museum received $100,000 in state funding toward the project as part of the $69 billion two-year budget […]
Read MoreGlouster group works to revitalize north-county village
JoAnn Rockhold, left, and Jane Cavarozzi are members of the Glouster Revitalization Organization, which is attempting to bring economic development to Glouster. They’re pictured here at Glouster’s First Fridays event in early June. Photo by Conor Morris. By Conor Morris Click here to read the original story in the Athens News. A dedicated group of […]
Read MoreCompletion date for RXQ’s new manufacturing facility is extended
By STEVE ROBB Messenger staff journalist The completion date for a local company to complete an expansion project was extended Tuesday by the Athens County Commissioners as part of a tax abatement the company will be receiving. In February, the commissioners delayed the abatement for one year at the request on RXQ Compounding, which has […]
Read MoreNew mural reflects history of Stimson Avenue area
By STEVE ROBB Messenger staff journalist Note: This story appears in the Wednesday, July 10 newspaper on Page A1. A mural being painted on Stimson Avenue in Athens gives a nod to the brick industry that operated in that area during the late 1800s and early 1900s. “The goal here was to celebrate the history […]
Read MoreCommissioners may share building with Glouster
By STEVE ROBB Messenger staff journalist. Note: This story appears in the Wednesday, July 10 newspaper on Page A1. Although details need to be worked out, the Athens County Commissioners said Tuesday that they are open to the idea of sharing the former Dollar General building in Glouster with the village. “We’re going to try […]
Read MoreProposed transit tax derailed
By STEVE ROBB Messenger staff journalist Note: This story appears in the Wednesday, July 3 newspaper on Page A1. Putting an Athens County transit tax on the November ballot is now looking highly unlikely. Officials from Hocking-Athens-Perry Community Action (HAPCAP) had recently asked the county commissioners if they would be “comfortable thinking about” putting a […]
Read MoreBus system sets date for route to Albany, Nelsonville
Click here to read original story in the Athens News. Athens Public Transit recently confirmed its new pilot route to Nelsonville and Albany. Line 7 will begin running on Thursday, Aug. 1, according to a news release. Stops will include the Albany Old School, Lake Snowden and Close to Home in Albany, and Hocking College […]
Read MoreConservancy buys 440 acres to connect Strouds Run with other rec lands
Click here to read original story in the Athens News. The Athens Conservancy on June 17 used a Clean Ohio grant to purchase 440 acres of land adjoining the eastern boundary of Strouds Run State Park. According to a news releaee announcing the purchase, it “will protect excellent wildlife habitat and provide new recreational opportunities […]
Read MoreIn new ARC ranking, Athens County downgraded to ‘distressed’
By Cole Behrens Click here to read the original story in the Athens News. Athens County was just ranked among the lowest 10 percent of economically performing counties in the country by the federal Appalachian Regional Commission. On June 25, the ARC designated Athens County, along with three other Ohio counties, as distressed, or in the worst […]
Read MoreAthens land near river to become park, conservation site
By GEORGE SHILLCOCK For The Messenger A coalition of city and state organizations are working together to revitalize a long-forgotten piece of property behind the Athens Community Center for use as a park and conservation site. Plans to develop the Ohio University-owned land are still in the early stages, though cleanup efforts are already underway. […]
Read MoreARC: Athens County is ‘distressed.’ Here’s what that means.
By TYLER BUCHANAN Messenger editor There are two ways to look at Athens County being a “Distressed” county, as rated by the Appalachian Regional Commission. That status is, plainly, the bad news. Economically speaking, Athens County is struggling — far beyond the national averages, well beyond the state averages and even beyond the Appalachian region […]
Read MoreRichland Avenue tunnel project increases in cost
By Cole Behrens Click here to read original story in the Athens News. The planned Richland Avenue pedestrian tunnel project is moving forward despite an increase in cost after the city of Athens hired an Ohio-based contractor. Andy Stone, city service-safety director, confirmed Monday that the city had contracted with Rietschlin Construction Inc., a company […]
Read MoreGlouster makes pitch for use of county-owned building
By STEVE ROBB Messenger staff journalist Glouster officials want to use all or part of the former Dollar General store as its municipal building, and met with the Athens County Commissioners on Tuesday to express that desire. The commissioners took ownership of the building last month, and have been leaning toward moving the county records […]
Read MorePurchase contract signed for West Union Street building
By STEVE ROBB Messenger staff journalist A purchase contract has been signed by both sides for Athens County to acquire a building at 510 W. Union St. in Athens, according to County Commissioner Charlie Adkins. The Messenger reported last week that the county was close to acquiring the building for use by Athens County Job […]
Read MoreStart date set for Albany, Nelsonville bus routes
By STEVE ROBB Messenger staff journalist As promised, additional details about bus service to Albany and Nelsonville have been released, including the start date of Aug. 1. The Messenger reported earlier this week that the service was slated to start in August and that more details would be announced. The pilot routes — numbered Route […]
Read MoreSales-tax hike could expand public transit options in county
By Conor Morris Click here to read original story in the Athens News. New fixed-route bus lines heading to Glouster and Coolville as well as new door-to-door transit options could be coming to Athens County over the next few years if a proposed 0.25 percent county-wide sales tax is approved by voters in November. That […]
Read MoreCity considers new tool to boost affordable housing
By Conor Morris Click here to read the original story in the Athens News. The city of Athens is considering taking a step toward encouraging development of affordable single-family housing in city limits. The main thrust of the proposal under consideration by Athens City Council and the city administration is creation of a tax increment […]
Read MoreCounty close to buying building for jobs program
The three county commissioners are seen with Jean Demosky (foreground), the Athens County Job and Family Services executive director, following a February tour of the West Union Street building. By STEVE ROBB Messenger staff journalist Click here to read original story in the Athens Messenger. A price has been agreed upon for purchase of a […]
Read MoreNelsonville, Albany bus service to start in August
By STEVE ROBB Messenger staff journalist Click here to read original story in the Athens Messenger. Bus service to Albany and Nelsonville is slated to begin in August, according to Jessie Schmitzer, Athens County mobility coordinator for Hocking-Athens-Perry Community Action. Schmitzer said details of the service will be announced later, but she did say that […]
Read MoreAPEG/API Annual Meeting
On behalf of Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth (APEG) and our partner organization, Appalachian Partnership Inc. (API), I’d like to personally invite you to our first-ever ANNUAL MEETING next month. We’ll reflect, celebrate successes, recognize partners and present the final Regional Economic Development Prosperity Plan that’s in the final stages of development. Because the region is so vast, two meetings are scheduled–one in the north […]
Read MoreState Controlling Board approves $$ for projects at OU and Hocking
Click here to read original story in the Athens News. The State Controlling Board has approved funding for projects at Ohio University and Hocking College, state Rep. Jay Edwards, R-Nelsonville, announced earlier this week. The board released $161,684 for improvements at Kantner Hall at Ohio University, according to a news release from the representative’s office. […]
Read MoreOhio House OKs $11M more for flood relief in area communities
Click here to read original story in the Athens News. The Ohio House has approved an additional $11 million in funding to help local communities hit by flooding over the last 18 months, state Rep. Jay Edwards announced earlier this week in a news release. The funding is part of the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ […]
Read MoreForums to look at transportation tax levy
Click here to read original story in the Athens News. Sixteen public forums are being held across Athens County to discuss a potential countywide 0.25% Transportation Sales Tax levy, according to a news release from Athens County, Hocking-Athens-Perry Community Action (HAPCAP). Funding obtained from the passage of a transportation sales tax – if it’s approved […]
Read MoreNelsonville gov’t to get upgraded phone, internet systems
By Heather Willard Messenger Staff Journalist Click here for original story in the Athens Messenger. Note: This story appears in the Wednesday, June 12 newspaper on Page A3. NELSONVILLE — City buildings in Nelsonville will soon be outfitted with new phone and internet systems, which may also improve surveillance and emergency services in town. That […]
Read MoreNo final decision, but Glouster building likely to become county records center
By STEVE ROBB Messenger staff journalist Click here to read original story in the Athens Messenger. Note: This story appears in the Wednesday, June 12 newspaper on Page A1. With it appearing a former Dollar General building in Glouster will become a county records center rather than a village hall, Mayor Miles Wolf said Tuesday […]
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