Local organizations have helped businesses to start up in Athens over the past few years.
As economic prospects have increased, Ohio University graduates have joined the list of new Athens business owners.
For example, OU alumnus Quinn Schaller opened Big Mamma's Burritos, 10 S. Court St., at the end of April.
Aaron Thomas, another OU graduate and owner of Class A Sounds, 447 E. State St., started his small auto detailing business several years ago to solve his own needs.
I couldn't pimp my own ride in Athens
Thomas said.
Others also benefit from small businesses. Indeed, enterprises like Schaller's and Thomas' are essential to the Ohio economy and especially to rural areas, such as Athens.
Because we are rural Appalachian Ohio I think small businesses are vital said Athens County Auditor Jill Thompson. We rely heavily on small business.
Athens Chamber of Commerce CEO Jennifer Simon said data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2002 Country Business Patterns report emphasize the importance of small businesses in the Athens area.
Of Athens County's 1,156 businesses, 852 employ fewer than 10 people, and only one business -a mining company -has more than 500 employees, according to the report.
Because the report dealt only with private sector employment, OU, along with hospitals and other public education institutions, was not evaluated as a single employer, Simon said.
Small businesses spread the risk of job loss while supporting job growth in Athens and nationwide, Simon said.
Simon also said Athens provides a good environment to foster business growth because of its technical assistance programs, such as OU's Innovation Center -a business incubator which houses 26 businesses -and the Voinovich Center for Leadership & Public Affairs.
Thomas utilized the aid of the Ohio Small Business Development Center at the Voinovich Center when he opened his business.
The SBDC, hosted by OU since 1988, provides small businesses with private consultations with a certified business adviser and group information sessions and offers programs for new businesses and existing businesses that want to expand their markets or get government contracts.
The Ohio SBDC -which has a budget of about $220,000 -is funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Ohio Department of Development.
The SBDC serves five southern Ohio counties, including Athens County, SBDC Director Susan Abdella said.
This year, the SBDC has helped about 420 small businesses in five counties, she said.
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