2026 2 20 Strategic Summit Packet

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City Economic Growth Factors (continued) 
A bright side is the significant participation increases in Parks & Recreation sports programs of youth 
basketball, little league, and adult softball even in the face of slow population growth due to the attraction 
of participants outside the city and county. In addition, installing artificial turf on the five baseball/softball 
infields at Regional Park will greatly increase regional and state-wide tournament play/sports tourism 
beginning in February 2026 resulting in additional revenue for the Parks & Recreation department in 
tournament fees and concession sales along with anticipated increases in general city-wide sales taxes and 
hotel/motel taxes. In addition, by hosting thousands of players and spectators during most weekends each 
February to November, that heightened level of activity could be the catalyst for attracting additional 
restaurants and hotels to the I-75 exit 49 area. 
One potential project that could greatly enhance the city's economic development base and pay dividends 
in the future is the completion of the SE TN Trade & Conference Center in Regional Park. By completing 
this conference center project in conjunction with the baseball/softball artificial turf installation/sports 
tourism and possible future installation of artificial turf and LED lights at the soccer fields, Regional Park 
could become an economic powerhouse destination for sports tourism and regional/state-wide conferences 
all at one location that would surely get recognition from the restaurant and hotel industries. 
Strategy Based on Economic Growth 
Taking into consideration increasing local sales tax and hotel/motel tax collections that are outpacing 
general population growth, lower interest rates, lower mortgage rates, and the installation of artificial turf 
at Regional Park, the city's strategy should be to: 
✓ recognize that the city is a regional economic hub namely for people coming from the west and 
aggressively attract more retail and commercial businesses and restaurants to the area, primarily on 
the Decatur Pike, I-75 exit 49, and Congress Parkway corridors 
✓ establish and protect Athens as a sports tourism destination with the completion of artificial turf on 
the baseball/softball infields at Regional Park, further maintain and enhance the city's sports 
tourism initiatives, and attract more restaurants and hotels around the Regional Park area to serve 
the ever-increasing number of participants and spectators that are anticipated 
✓ charge higher sports registration fees for out-of-city participants as a fairness issue to reflect the 
fact that in-city participants pay property taxes to maintain the fields/facilities while out-of-city 
participants do not but contribute to the sales tax base. 
✓ determine the feasibility of completing the SE TN Trade & Conference Center as an economic 
development tool but mindful that operational, maintenance, and debt costs will affect the city's 
budget going forward 
✓ follow the declining interest rates and borrow money as necessary to fund city projects 
✓ work with the local EDA to market the various industrial parks to attract industrial prospects to 
increase job opportunities for local residents but recognizing that new workers will have a difficult 
time locating suitable housing within the city. 
✓ keep a good working relationship with all major employers within the city and provide support for 
their public service needs 
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