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This page offers blog posts, news articles and events surrounding Athens County economic and community development efforts.
Economic Development Council earns award for familiarization tour
November 5, 2019 The Athens County Economic Development Council won a Silver Award for its 2019 Familiarization Tour, a project in the International Economic Development Council’s (IEDC) Innovation in Economic Development Week category. The honor was presented at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 15 during the IEDC Annual Conference, which was held Oct. 13-16 […]
Read MoreCity council tables vote on funding for Baileys Trail System
November 5, 2019 Article by Emily Krebs City Council tabled a vote Monday for legislation that would financially support construction of the Baileys Trail System through a tax on rented rooms such as hotels, motels and bed-and-breakfasts. The city was asked by Quantified Ventures — a Washington D.C.-based investment firm that’s managing the trail system’s […]
Read MoreLocal company to expand into industrial park near The Plains
Click here to read the original story in the Athens News. A growing manufacturer of patented truck beds and trailers that automatically load and unload shipping containers on Tuesday announced that it’s expanding into the Bill Theisen Industrial Park in near The Plains in Athens County, according to a news release from JobsOhio. The announcement […]
Read MoreCounty signs with company to lease Atco building
By Heather Willard Messenger Staff Journalist. For a brief moment on Tuesday, it seemed like the Athens County Commissioners would have a tough decision to make regarding the future of the former Atco building. The commissioners received two bids for the building, but one of them was later withdrawn on Tuesday. The county is going […]
Read MoreQuickLoadz Expanding Production in Athens County
NELSONVILLE, Ohio, Oct. 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Quick Loadz Container System (QuickLoadz), a rapidly growing manufacturer of patented truck beds and trailers that automatically load and unload shipping containers, announced today its expansion into the Bill Theisen Industrial Park in Athens County. The announcement was made in London as QuickLoadz celebrated its graduation from the London Stock Exchange Group’s ELITE Program, […]
Read MoreBaileys Trail gets funding boost
The Bailey’s Trail System will eventually feature 88 miles of mountain bike trail in the Wayne National Forest. File photo By TYLER BUCHANAN Messenger editor. Note: This story appears in the Friday, Oct. 11 newspaper on Page A1. Another major grant financing the Baileys Trail System project in Wayne National Forest was announced this week. […]
Read MoreAffordable housing plan approved in Athens
By Heather Willard Messenger Staff Journalist. Note: This story appears in the Friday, Oct. 11 newspaper on Page A3. More changes intended on improving Athens’ city housing code were approved this week by City Council. Council members hope the plan will pave the way for more affordable housing in town. It is mainly directed at […]
Read MoreSpecial Improvement District proposed for Athens
By Heather Willard Messenger Staff Journalist. Note: This story appears in the Friday, Oct. 11 newspaper on Page A1. Property owners in a portion of uptown Athens may have an opportunity to join a special improvement district to provide funding for enhancement of the area. Special Improvement Districts are private organizations established when over 60 […]
Read MoreTri-County students celebrate ‘Manufacturing Day’
Photo by John Stran, The Logan Daily News By JOHN STRAN For The Messenger. Note: This story appears in the Tuesday, Oct. 8 newspaper on Page A3. LOGAN — A group of about 30 students from the Nelsonville-based Tri-County Career Center experienced a hands-on introduction to modern industrial technology and techniques at Amanda Manufacturing in […]
Read MoreHockhocking gets an extension
By TYLER BUCHANAN Messenger editor. Note: This story appears in the Sunday, Oct. 6 newspaper on Page A3. Messenger photo by John Halley. New bikepaths in this area are celebrated just like new businesses are — with enthusiasm and a big ribbon ready to cut. The Hockhocking Adena Bikeway grew a little bit longer this […]
Read MoreOU Innovation Center receives $1 million grant for facility upgrades
By OU Compass The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration has awarded a $1.15 million grant to the Ohio University Innovation Center to support facility improvements at the internationally renowned business incubator. The grant will allow the Innovation Center to add new biotechnology laboratories and light manufacturing spaces as well as improve several features […]
Read MoreAthens asked to foot $1.8 million bill for Bailey’s trail project
A cyclist is pictured riding on a trail at Strouds Run State Park. An 88-mile Baileys Mountain Bike Trail is proposed for Wayne National Forest. Local officials have said the project would bring significant tourism to Athens County if built. Messenger file photo. By Heather Willard Messenger Staff Journalist Note: This story appears in the […]
Read MoreCommissioners, Glouster officials seek to share old Dollar General building
There are talks of having Athens County and the village of Glouster share the former Dollar General building. It is owned by the county. Messenger file photo. By Heather Willard Messenger Staff Journalist Plans for the old Dollar General building in Glouster, now in the hands of Athens County, have just about been settled. The […]
Read MoreIntelliwave continues discussions on sewer project
September 4th 2019 By Heather Willard Concerns over efficiency were discussed but not resolved during the Tuesday morning Athens County Commissioners meeting involving the Route 50 sanitary sewer project. The project, now estimated to cost $34.5 million, is aimed at providing sanitary sewer service to housing subdivisions along Route 50 west of Athens. The city […]
Read MoreHousing at The Ridges under consideration
Pictured is one building of the former Athens Lunatic Asylum, now known as The Ridges. Local and university officials have discussed adding affordable housing at The Ridges. Messenger file photo. By Heather Willard Messenger Staff Journalist Athens City Council met in several committees on Monday night, with members mulling the possibility of placing affordable housing […]
Read MoreCounty issuing $1.5 million bond for new OhioMeansJobs location
The OhioMeansJobs office is moving from The Plains to a building on West Union Street in Athens. The office gives Athens County adults a chance at job training and GED prep. Program supervisor Joe McGowan (on left) and instructor Scott Hatfield are seen in the classroom in this 2018 file photo. Messenger file photo. By […]
Read MoreBonds may be issued for Wayne mountain bike trails
By STEVE ROBB Messenger staff journalist A cyclist rides on Scatter Ridge Trail at Strouds Run State Park. Messenger file photo Bond financing to help pay for creating the Baileys Trail System in the Wayne National Forest is being proposed, and on Wednesday the Athens County Port Authority was asked to consider issuing the bonds. […]
Read MoreBuckeye Rural Electric lands $19 million USDA loan to improve service in Athens County
Rio Grande, Ohio-based Buckeye Rural Electric is among cooperatives in 10 states that will receive more than $181 million to upgrade systems and equipment, according to USDA Ohio Rural Development State Director David L. Hall. Athens County is one of the counties where upgrades will occur. “For more than 80 years now, USDA has been […]
Read MoreRocky Brands breaks ground on distribution center expansion
Rocky Brands is undergoing a 94,000-square-foot expansion of its Hocking County distribution center in Logan. The current distribution center covers nearly 192,000 square feet. A groundbreaking event was held on Aug. 19. In addition, according to a news release, Rocky Brands is planning for additional job growth at its corporate headquarters in Nelsonville. The project […]
Read MoreAthens County Economic Development Council hires assistant director
The Athens County Economic Development Council (ACEDC) has offered Mollie Fitzgerald a newly created assistant director position beginning Aug. 6. Mollie brings with her experience in economic and business development, having served as the ACEDC’s Project Specialist from 2015 to 2017. She has worked in private, public and nonprofit sectors, most recently serving as Live […]
Read MoreNew wastewater plant seen as boon to Albany development
By Heather Willard Messenger Staff Journalist ALBANY — Improvements to the village wastewater treatment plant might pay major dividends in terms of future economic development, local officials hope. The recent work is part of a broader goal to better the village’s infrastructure. Village Council members and Mayor Tim Kirkendall see this as another piece in […]
Read MoreCost estimate for Route 50 sewer project jumps $6 million
By STEVE ROBB Messenger staff journalist The estimated construction cost of the Route 50W sanitary sewer project has risen by nearly $6 million, prompting the Athens County Commissioners to seek additional federal funding for the project. At their meeting Tuesday, the commissioners authorized submission of paperwork to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to seek funding […]
Read MoreEclipse restaurant business being sold, Kiser’s Barbeque seeks to expand in Athens
August 14, 2019 Wanting to concentrate on expanding Kiser’s Barbeque in Athens, the restaurant business Sean Kiser operates at Eclipse Company Store in The Plains is being sold, he said. Kiser has operated Kiser’s Barbeque in the Market on State for just over 10 years, and has run the restaurant at Eclipse Company Store for […]
Read MoreCommunity creates a ‘bounty’ for local food pantries
By Cole Behrens Click here to read original story in the Athens News. Attendees at Bounty on the Bricks Saturday evening in uptown Athens enjoyed dry and sunny weather, great food and drink, bonhomie with fellow community members, and the knowledge they were contributing to a good cause, local food pantries. This seventh annual charitable […]
Read MoreSizable grant awarded for upgrades to OU Innovation Center
By STEVE ROBB Messenger staff journalist. Note: This story appears in the Friday, Aug. 2 newspaper on Page A1. Ohio University has been awarded a $1.15 million federal grant for upgrades to the OU Innovation Center, a business incubator located on West State Street in Athens. The project will focus on upgrading the building’s infrastructure, […]
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