By Denise Plemmons
A
thens‐Clarke County’s 3rd Annual Industry Apprecia on Dinner
was held on April 18, 2016 to celebrate the contribu ons that
local manufacturers make to the Athens community. The event
was a ended by over 80 guests, including local, state and
na onal elected officials, community leaders and the captains of industry
throughout Athens.
Airport completed a 600‐foot expansion which will allow for safer takeoffs
and landings, allow planes to carry heavier loads and will be er serve our
ci zens and our corporate partners. And lastly, Mayor Denson introduced
Blaine Williams to the crowd and shared his new role as the County
Manager.
Mayor Denson concluded by saying, “We recognize that the economic
Athens‐Clarke County Mayor Nancy Denson opened the evening by impact of exis ng industry growth is o en mes more substan al than new
welcoming our guests and expressing what a busy year it has been for industry loca ons and we are poised to facilitate that growth. Economic
manufacturing in Athens. “In just the past year we saw new capital
investment announced or completed in facili es such as Noramco, McCann,
and Nakanshi,” she announced. She con nued, “Together these three plants
invested over $40M in Athens. Industrial property alone accounted for
$39M in net tax digest growth from 2014 to 2015.” She also men oned
other milestone events including the opening of Southern Brewing
Company, the acquirement of Power Partners which demonstrates its
con nued growth and the announcement that Carrier Transicold was
named one of North America’s best plants by Industry Week.
Mayor Denson also noted that our local government has been busy too. The
Planning Department recently unveiled a totally new process for plans
review that is more efficient and more customer friendly. The Ben‐Epps
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Mayor Nancy Denson addresses the audience at the 2016
Industry Apprecia on Dinner & Awards
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT www.AthensBusiness.org 706-613-3233