The Athens County Commissioners yesterday discussed a $2.2 million business incubation project with representatives from the Appalachian Center for Economic Networks and several other organizations.
The discussion centered on ACEnet's pending purchase of Rocky Shoes and Boots' former office and warehouse. ACEnet wants to remodel the property and use it as a business incubator.
ACEnet has been managing Rocky Shoes and Boots old office and warehouse on Harper Street in Nelsonville for the past four years, said Mike Brooks, chief executive officer for Rocky Shoes and Boots. The property already houses the offices of ED Maps, a distributor of educational materials. The business has grown and is doing well on the property, said Angie Cantrell, director of business innovation at ACEnet.
ACEnet has applied for funds to buy and remodel the property, and the project should close by the end of the month, Cantrell said. The company has received funds from the Economic Development Administration, which agreed to pay for 60 percent of the cost. The Ohio Department of Development contributed $20,000, Athens County pledged a total of $365,000 and SBC has donated $23,000 for upgrades.
Our goal here is to get the ducks in a row
Cantrell said.
I think this is a great opportunity for my community Brooks said, adding that it has been a long process.
The commissioners also heard from Councilwoman Bojinka Bishop, D-2nd Ward. She requested the commissioners review the step signs on the Athens County Court of Common Pleas. Bishop said the courthouse is a focal point in the county, and the sign on the steps that states, stop seems abrupt and is not aesthetically pleasing. She suggested having art students help design a new sign.
Athens County commissioner Bill Theisen said the sign says stop because many people would go in the wrong direction. Commissioner Lenny Eliason said that was the latest solution to handle complaints about directions into the courthouse, but he agreed that it wasn't pretty. The commissioners said they would look into the problem.
17
Archives
Andrea Golby
