2025 5 6 Budget Work Session Website 1

Unverified text extraction. Check the original page for numbers, names, and layout.

OUTSIDE AGENCIES
OUTSIDE AGENCY PROFILES
The city funds numerous outside agencies that are outside  the structure of  city government operations. The city 
considers these agencies essential to the city residents, and therefore, partly funds their annual operations. The 
outside agencies are: 
American Legion 
Flags
The city provides the American Legion with funds to replace their flags when needed.
Athens Area Council for the Arts
This agency 
strives to enrich the quality of life for all citizens in the McMinn County area by providing 
opportunities for the expression and appreciation of the  Arts. They  provide various programing including a 200-
seat black box theater, rotating exhibits, art instruction/classes/workshops, facility rental, and much more. 
E.G. Fisher Library
The public library, under the direction of an independent Board of  Directors, offers a full range of resources and 
materials in many formats to the public to  enhance leisure time and expand knowledge. The library also  offers 
various programs, computer usage, and interlibrary loans. The city also contributes funding to the library’s 
capital fund. 
Leading Innovators to Excel (LITE) House
This agency seeks to promote entrepreneurial growth by providing resources to support entrepreneurs of all ages.
Main Street Athens
This nationally accredited agency, under the  direction of an independent Board of Directors, has a mission 
to locate resources  to create/maintain a sustainable and vibrant  downtown that contributes to the 
community’s health while
 preserving its unique history and culture.
McMinn County Economic Development Authority
This agency
 facilitates the  creation and retention  of quality jobs for the citizens of the city and county and strives 
to increase capital investment through  a targeted marketing plan  and regional partnership programs. In particular, 
the EDA’s mission is to recruit new businesses and industries through effective marketing, retain  and expand 
existing businesses and industries,  develop and manage various industrial parks  (Innovation Park, Mt. Verd,  
and Redfern), develop the local  workforce, and increase housing opportunities.
McMinn County Education Foundation 
This community foundation champions  education by purchasing and mailing books to elementary school children 
as part of the Imagination Library Program,  provides a wide range of scholarships to local teachers,  summer 
art camp participants, STEM  camp participants, and college  bound students, hosts a career day, maintains 
compassion closets
 at each public school, supports Healing Hearts Grief Camp, among other local social 
programs.
McMinn County Historical Society
This society promotes interest in and preservation of materials relating to the history  of Tennessee and 
McMinn County. The society publishes a newsletter, prepares and distributes brochures at various locations 
throughout SE Tennessee, places ads in McMinn Life Magazine, conducts monthly membership meetings, and 
co-hosts genealogy research training  sessions with the E.G. Fisher Public Library.
McMinn County Juvenile Services
This agency provides preventive and rehabilitative services to juveniles and families  in need to preserve the 
family unit
 while providing guidance to  the youth. This  agency also assists  law enforcement and juvenile 
court, schools, and the community regarding juvenile services.
81