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This page offers blog posts, news articles and events surrounding Athens County economic and community development efforts. Select the News & Events tabs to the right to view all postings.
Economic Development Plan Shoots for Thousands of Jobs
Click here for the originally story from WOUB. April 17, 2017 Nick Niehaus “Within five years, Athens County should add 2,500 new jobs, cut the poverty rate for children by five points and increase the per capita income by 15 percent.” Those are the goals listed in the Comprehensive Economic Development Plan accepted by the […]
Read MoreRide-sharing service sets Athens County launch for early in June
Click here for the original story from The Athens News. May 29, 2017 Conor Morris A representative for a new ride-sharing service launching in Athens County says the service is expecting to start offering rides in early June. Liberty Mobility Now is a ride-sharing service, cellphone application and phone line from a small start-up company […]
Read MoreAthens County eyed as site for medical marijuana operation
Click here for the original article from The Athens Messenger. April 23, 2017 Steve Robb A company based in central Ohio wants to operate a medical marijuana facility at Theisen Industrial Park near The Plains. If Black Elk Biotech can get state licenses, the plan is to grow marijuana and process it into treatment products […]
Read MoreRide Hailing In Rural America: Like Uber With A Neighborly Feel
This NPR article covers the Innovation Center’s very own Liberty Transportation. Valerie LeFler is doing great things for Southeast Ohio’s chronic transportation issues, and we are excited to have her here in Athens! Find the complete story below or here. April 17, 2017 M.L. Shultze Shelia Mendoza says she’s not looking for a livelihood out of […]
Read MoreAthens County Community Improvement Challenge 2017
The Athens County Community Improvement Challenge is meant to support and assist communities and individuals seeking improvement. Community is defined as a group of people living in the same place, having a particular characteristic in common, or a feeling of fellowship with others as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. Athens County […]
Read MoreIntelligent Community Forum April 6
Would you like to learn about Fiber, Broadband and WiFi in Southeast Ohio? Fundamentally, a smart rural community uses broadband networks to enable applications that the community can leverage for innovative economic development, first-rate education and health care, better government services, more robust public safety and more efficient energy distribution and use. Understanding the use […]
Read MoreInnovation Center receives highly competitive Global Soft Landing Network designation
This article from Ohio University’s Perspective Magazine highlights the Innovation Center’s recent recognition as part of the Global Soft Landings Network. Find the complete article below or here. February 27, 2017 From staff reports The Innovation Center, Ohio University’s business incubator, has been selected by the International Business Innovation Association (InBIA) to join its Global Soft […]
Read MoreAthens County Economic Development Council releases new comprehensive strategic plan
Plan has strong emphasis on site development, living wage jobs and business investment Athens, OH – February 21, 2017 – At its February 15th board meeting, the Athens County Economic Development Council moved to adopt a new comprehensive, county-wide economic development strategic plan that sets goals for site development infrastructure, increasing living wage jobs, […]
Read MoreLittle Fish Brewing Company receives $50,000 loan from ACEDC’s micro revolving loan fund
An article on Little Fish’s micro loan was also features in the Athens Messenger: http://bit.ly/2lovbH8 Money to be used for equipment upgrades and solar panel installation project Athens, OH, February 13, 2017 – Little Fish Brewing Company owners Sean White and Jimmy Stockwell received a $50,000 check from the Athens County Economic Development Council during […]
Read MoreSolar company grew from owners’ need, interest
By Kevin Kidder For Columbus CEO Magazine; Taken from the Columbus Dispatch Michelle and Geoff Greenfield didn’t set out to create a business when they started researching solar power in Ohio at the beginning of the millennium. But what they learned in a quest for solar panels on the house they were building in […]
Read More2011/2012 East State Street
2011 East State Street Premier Development Acreage – One of the largest underdeveloped opportunities on East State Street totaling 19.59 acres, surveyed into 5 parcels with # 1 being the largest at 5.97 acres and tract # 5 being the smallest at 2.15 acres. This site is zoned ‘MANUFACTURING’ with two approved curb cuts and featuring over 1400 ft. of frontage on the south […]
Read MoreLots of Jobs, Not Much Pay
The recent story by The Athens News’ Conor Morris reiterates why it is important not only to have jobs, but to have living wage jobs that support families and increase the economic prosperity of Athens County. Find the complete story below or at http://bit.ly/2jSugfL January 18, 2016 By: Conor Morris The Great Recession of 2007-2009 hit […]
Read MoreOU to meet with potential Ridges developers
Article from Athens News By Conor Morris Ohio University is set to meet today (Jan. 9) with developers who are interested in working with the university on plans to redevelop The Ridges. According to a release from the university, the meeting is merely “informational,” meant to assist potential developers with “understanding the opportunities” in the […]
Read MoreHebbardsville Farm
Hebbardsville Farm is currently owned by Ohio University, and has been identified as a priority site for development in the 2017 economic development strategic plan. The greenfield site offers 380 acres of farm and woodlands and is in close proximity to rail, the Ohio University airport, and the State Route 32/50 4-lane highway. In upcoming years, […]
Read MoreBill Theisen Industrial Park
The Bill Theisen Industrial Park offers excellent development opportunities to new and expanding companies in Athens County. Parcels vary from 3 to 23 acres, with natural gas, electric, water, wastewater and ethernet readily available at each site. The site is conveniently located 2 miles West of The Plains, Ohio and 3 miles from US Route […]
Read MoreAward-winning development
December 21, 2016 Here at the Athens County Economic Development Council, we pride ourselves on the diverse mix of industry in our region, and we understand that growing the economy with living-wage jobs improves life for everyone. So we were thrilled to have our work recognized with an award from the Ohio Economic Development Association, […]
Read MoreIntroducing the JobsOhio Research & Development Grant Program
Recently, the JobsOhio Board of Directors approved a new program – the JobsOhio Research & Development (R&D) Grant Program. Authorized with $50 million of initial funding, the R&D Grant Program is intended to extend the breadth and strength of Ohio research and development to help spur innovation and job creation. Read below for a brief overview […]
Read MoreAthens County’s newest brewery opens in Nelsonville
Athens County’s newest craft beer brewery opened its doors near Nelsonville’s Public Square Saturday. Jason Warren, owner of Multiple Brewing at 82 W. Washington St., said Saturday that he wants to introduce craft beer to Nelsonville while improving the economic climate of the city. His brewery is the third brewery to open in Athens County since […]
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