The commissioners met with the USDA rural development department to discuss some rural development projects, including a permanent farmer’s market in Athens County.
Athens County Commissioners had a few ideas for how the U.S. Department of Agriculture could assist rural development in the area at their meeting Tuesday morning.
Tony Logan, state director of Ohio Rural Development — a branch of the USDA — attended the meeting and said his department is striving to promote economic develop in communities like Athens.
Logan didn’t have any specific ideas in mind for spurring economic growth in Athens, though commissioners brought up possible projects the department could contribute to.
Athens County Commissioner Chris Chmiel toyed with the possibility of building and implementing a permanent farmer’s market in the county, which he said is something the county “really needs.”
Chmiel also said he knows of a construction company that is planning on building 100 energy efficient homes in the county. He added that the company could use grant money and government assistance in its endeavors.
Both projects will be discussed at future meetings.
Rich Kasler, superintendent of the Athens County Water and Sewage District, also stopped by the commissioner’s meeting Tuesday morning.
Kasler requested an extension on plans to upgrade the county’s wastewater treatment plant. By pushing it back, Kasler said it will “only cost time, but no money.”
The commissioners granted his request.
Bob Gallagher, the director of Athens County Department of Job and Family Services, also attended Tuesday’s meeting to discuss his discontent with the percentage of out-of-work Athens residents receiving government financial assistance.
Right now the number of Athens residents receiving monetary assistance while working is below fifty percent, he said.
“There is a way for us to get that number up without being harsh, and believe we can do it,” Gallagher said.
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