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The vitality of Athens depends on three main building blocks - people development, community development, and economic development. Each block is dependent on the other two, and no one block can stand alone. The most important aspect of local government's ability to grow its economy is to protect and improve our quality of life. Few businesses choose to move into communities that offer too little opportunity for a high quality of life to their employees. Athens-Clarke County must ensure that we are a desirable place to live, work, and play in order to attract new businesses and new jobs for our citizens.
Citizen and institutional input, coupled with a strong vision of Athens' future, is critical to the success of economic growth. A vision for thoughtful growth is necessary to guide our community leaders as they seek out new businesses and encourage the growth of existing businesses in Athens-Clarke County. Incorporated into any plans are the citizen-driven principles of the land-use plan, along with the strategic plans of the Clarke County School Board and The University of Georgia. They are our partners in ensuring the vitality of Athens and we are dependent upon their success as well. Since taking office, I have instituted regularly scheduled meetings with UGA and the Clarke County School Board and continue to meet with the Chamber of Commerce and other business and industry groups. I have also added new seats to our Economic Development Foundation to enhance their diversity by including entrepreneurs and small business.
I believe that our economic growth efforts must reflect a desire to protect and preserve the many existing assets that make Athens a desirable place to live and work. These assets include: a sound infrastructure system; a vibrant downtown that serves as a major economic development engine; a growing tourism industry; a growing technology sector; a wealth of historic treasures; quality neighborhoods; natural resources; a thriving arts community; and unique places of interest to shop and visit.
Our assets set Athens apart from other Northeast Georgia communities. It is in our best interest to do all we can to maintain the excellent quality of life we have to offer. We must continually and vigorously market our town to prospective home and business owners. If we squander our assets, we lose our competitive advantage!
The backbone of our local economy is small business. We must continue to nurture the conditions that allow these area establishments to grow and prosper. As we court new business in Athens-Clarke County, we should continue to look carefully at the benefits of small business on our community. These benefits include less pressure on our infrastructure, more opportunities for local entrepreneurs, and maintenance of Athens' unique identity.
We must continue to develop opportunities and pursue the "industries of the mind" and to tap into the vast amount of creativity available in our community. Already we have begun to stem the tide of talent that had been commuting to Atlanta for the promise of better paying jobs in new technology fields. Our community leaders must continue to work closely with the University of Georgia's technology and emerging industry departments and incubators to develop these industries in Athens-Clarke County.
The goal of any economic development plan should be a diversified economy that protects and markets our plentiful existing assets, protects rather than depletes our natural resources, and creates the conditions for new and existing businesses to grow and prosper.
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