2022 06 21 City Council

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I.  INTRODUCTION 
Background 
Athens has a long -standing reputation as being the Friendly City – people are attracted to the 
inviting environment that has been created by our citizens. Athens is also a place of access. 
Within our community, we have an abundance of natural resources and  beauty, or if you want 
to explore the world, it’s easy to do so from our city. Our location means quick access to large 
cities, or a brief drive to escape to the mountains or waterways for fishing, hiking, kayaking, and 
all with a low cost of living.  
Athens is a great place to work and has several manufacturers and employers in the area. The 
City has three industrial parks, two of which still have available land for new facilities. These two 
parks are located just off the two Interstate I-75 interchanges that connect to the city. The larger 
industries that also make up our largest employers include Denso Tennessee, Inc.; Adient; 
McMinn County Board of Education; Heil Trailer, International; Mayfield Dairy Farms, Inc.; 
Walmart; Starr Regional Medical Center ; ABB; Dynasty Spas; and E&E Manufacturing. These 
principal employers employ approximately 5,000 employees.  
The city provides a full range of services to 
include police & fire protection; sanitation 
services; construction and maintenance of 
highways, st reets, & infrastructure; 
recreational activities , and cultural events. 
Annual special events include the Athens 
Soap Box Derby, Fishing Derby, July 4 
Fireworks, Annual Easter Egg Hunt of over 
10,000 eggs, a Mother-Son Dance, and the nationally recognized Daddy Daughter Dance. Athens 
Regional Park, consisting of 165 acres , includes two lakes, miles of hiking/walking trails, one of 
the largest splashpads in the state of Tennessee, a large and small playground, baseball, softball, 
and soccer fields along with a large lake pavilion, the Southeast Tennessee Trade and Conference 
Center, and the McMinn County Expo Center. The city also maintains Eureka Trail, a former 
railroad bed that treks through 
woodlands, rural landscapes, and 
through the community of Mashburn  
before ending in the nearby Town of 
Englewood at its southeastern 
terminus. Eureka trail is multipurpose 
for hikers, bikers, and horse riders and 
features a 0.5 mile -section Health Triangle at the Athens trailhead for novice walkers. Other 
events include the annual Pumpkintown Festival, Sounds of Summer Concert Series, and 
Moofest, working in collaboration with the local philanthropic group, Friendly City Festivals. The 
city also hosts seasonal events such as the Downtown Farmer’s Market through the Spring  and 
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