I attended my first 2010 Ohio Brew Week event last night, Sparbock keg tapping at Jackie Os. The pub was full of brew-goers eager to taste the craft brews that will be offered all week at many of the drinking establishments in Athens. I was really excited to be among the group of people who were there tasting, scoring, and talking about the beers. As I listened to the folks at the tables around me, I realized that there is an entirely different jargon that I was previously unaware of when discussing beer and its flavors. It was really entertaining to hear statements like; this one is really hoppy, that one has a sweet nose but a bitter finish, perfect balance.
I have to say, I am a person who knows what she likes. I never really thought beyond that when drinking my beer. I was introduced to a different perspective last night. So, here is a little of what I learned;
*IPA – An ale brewed in England for British troops stationed in India in the 18th century. It was brewed very strong to survive a voyage that could take as long as six months. Highly hopped.
In the current economic climate raising capital is challenge for start-ups and small businesses.
I am always interested in learning and sharing information that may help our local business, and also help create more start-ups here in Athens County.
I was very excited when it was announced that Athens would host the 2009 Appalachian Regional Commission Conference. The conference took place on Oct. 26-28 on the campus of Ohio University and was a great success! With over 350 participants, individuals from across the 13 state appalachian region witnessed first hand what Athens County has to offer.
With the theme of the conference being New Energy, New Jobs, I knew this would be a wonderful opportunity for our Alternative Energy Companies here in Athens County to show the wonderful things they are working on. It was a great honor to have Governor Strickland personally visit and see first hand the tremendous work that Third Sun, Sunpower, Global Cooling, and Dovetail are accomplishing. These companies are great examples of how Athens County is becoming a leader in the Alternative Energy Industry.
The Ohio University Innovation Center is now reviewing and forwarding applications for the Technology Investment Tax Credit Program for Companies and Investors. The program provides a tax credit for Ohio taxpayers who invest in small, Ohio-based technology companies. The amount of the tax credit is 30%. The maximum amount of investment to which the credit applies is $300,000. Investors are eligible for up to a $90,000 tax credit.
The credit can be claimed against personal income tax, corporate franchise tax, public utility excise tax or dealers in intangibles tax. The eligible entity or business must be involved primarily in research and development; technology transfer; Biotechnology; Information Technology; the application of new technology developed through research and development or acquired through technology transfer.
If you are thinking about starting or expanding a business and wonder what type of various state and federal funding programs are available, then please join us for the Lunch and Learn Series organized by the Entrepreneurship Development Group (EDG).
The Athens County Economic Development Council is a proud partner of the Entrepreneurship Development Group (EDG) which works to promote entrepreneurship in the county and region. The Lunch and Learn Series is an educational and networking event that will be held monthly on the third Tuesday of each month from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Innovation Center in Room 103. We will arrange to have one or more presenters speak on a topic at each workshop. Co-hosting organizations include: Innovation Center, Tech Growth Ohio, Small Business Development Center, and Athens County Economic Development Council.
I am very happy to announce that ITTAO (The Information Technology Alliance of Appalachian Ohio) honored the Athens County Economic Development Council with a TIGAR award for the Best Non-Profit Website, at the 7th Annual TIGAR Awards Gala which was held May 1st. The TIGAR Awards recognize businesses, individuals, and educators for their accomplishments in the information technology sector.
This achievement would have never happened if it wasn’t for the hard work and commitment put forth by my fellow co-worker Sara Marrs. Sara has spent endless hours working to make the site a success in every fashion.
Last Thursday, I joined over 150 fellow Athenians for a Town Hall Meeting. The topics ranged from Transportation Infrastructure to Uptown Economic Development. I facilitated the panel on Increasing Food Security, and was impressed when ten eager and knowledgable individuals sat down at the table. Our group whipped up an incredible brain storm discussing ways in which we can inform and improve the way our City tackles the issue of food security. There must have been an inspirational spark at many of the other tables, too, because after each group met indivdually, we collectively shared some highlights from our discussions. A lot of great ideas were shared, and most groups made plans to meet again before the next Town Hall meeting.
It’s a real testament to this community to see that many citizens excercise their civic responsibility. I was equally impressed with the Mayor and City Planner, as they voiced high regard for hearing the voices of their citizenry.
Business and money and the arts: where do they all fit together, where do they meet? Andrea Lewis, Executive Director of The Dairy Barn and I have been mulling this very question and here are some of our thoughts.
Assets and resources- what are the assets and resources of Athens County?
I just finished reading what is for me a transformational book: Ed Friedman’s “Failure of Nerve.” It’s NOT a bestseller. Friedman’s died in ’96 and left behind an unfinished manuscript that his family and friends “finished” for him. It’s not a perfect book, but neither was “Huckleberry Finn.”
I discovered the book at my dad’s house, borrowed it and haven’t returned it. I can’t return it now: the book is completely marked up w/my own annotations and highlights, and the binding broke half-way through in the course of reading it, to the point where I began using chunks of pages as bookmarks for the next section. Talk about “well thumbed.” It’s that good.
The love between a man and his Star Wars.
There are many kinds of love in this world, but few so rare and special as the love between a man and his Star Wars. The prior week was everything I expected and more. Music was the major theme. We snuck a little music in for the Star Wars show thanks to the improv stylings of an Athens music legend Mr. Andrew Lampela. Danprince and I traveled all around the town seeing live music and enjoying our friends.
When Elvis Presley returned to Graceland upon his return to the United States from his tour in Germany, he gave an interview. He said, “I’ll stay in Memphis.” I just returned from Memphis and had a lovely time- even the parking meters are “art” (http://memphis.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2007/06/04/tidbits1.html) and just the same, I’ll stay in Athens.
Last week I stayed in a little more than usual- still recovering from the weather- but I did manage to make it out to the Town Meeting on Thursday night. About 200 other people and I! The Town Meeting was a solicitation for input on the City of Athens’ Comprehensive Plan. The next meeting is scheduled for March 12 at 6:30 PM. Make your voice heard! I will try to tone mine down a bit… I cannot help but be passionate about the arts and our town. The arts are a vital piece of our economic viability in Athens. Does this mean we need to attract a lot of tourists? Well, tourist money is nice- but it means we need to recognize the arts not as a luxury but as a necessary cog in our economic wheel.
As the President of the Athens County Economic Development Council, its my job to bring resources to your business.
As a business owner, would you turn down an opportunity to meet with up to 112 buyers one-on-one? Would a little training about selling to the government and other large businesses hurt either?
January 1st meant the beginning of a new era for economic development throughout our county. The new organization, Athens County Economic Development Council (EDC), began operations in the Ohio University Innovation Center. The Council is a partnership among several entities including Ohio University, Athens County Commissioners, City of Athens, Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, Athens County Port Authority and the Athens Community Improvement Corporation. The Athens Township Trustees have made a financial commitment as well. The Trustees have invested in economic development for several years.
The vision behind the organization is to be a catalyst for quality jobs and progress in Athens County by creating a seamless network of economic development resources throughout the region while building on partnerships that include government, businesses and non-profit organizations.

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