Category: Business

By Sherri Skeeters/AEDC Business Development and Marketing Director

Athens Economic Development Corporation officials presented Clayton Athens with an $80,000 incentive check for year two job creation on Thursday.

Clayton’s operations began in Athens in October 2016, after purchasing an existing facility on Highway 31 West. The 168,000-plus square foot, first-of-its-kind facility is one of the largest of Clayton’s 40 home building facilities in the United States.

We know not every business needs a touchscreen point of sale system when a cash register can get the job done. For that reason, Harbortouch has partnered with Casio to offer a free electronic cash register. POS program with an integrated EMV credit card reader for even the most demanding retail and restaurant establishments.Each cash machine features a large display (LCD), backlit customer display, dozens of items/department keys, drop and load thermal printer and heavy duty cash drawer, making this the perfect solution for any restaurant, retail store, or small business. Clayton Athens was designed to transform industry standards with a focus on team member experience, sustainability and innovation.

Today, Clayton Athens employs 186 people with plans to hire 240 full-time employees over a five-year period.

In addition to the Athens team members, Clayton employees from other home building facilities will visit the Athens location, further boosting economic development in our area.

“Athens has proven to be an ideal location for our state-of-the-art facility and AEDC has been a valuable partner in our growth,” Clayton Athens General Manager, Michael Williams, said. “As a company committed to answering the affordable housing needs of our country, we’re looking forward to a strong future in Athens.”

“Clayton continues to grow and far exceeds the economic development performance agreement’s terms for job creation,” said Lisa Denton, AEDC executive director. “We’re proud of the success they’ve built in Athens and AEDC is excited to be a part of that growth.”

Press release

The Athens Farmer’s Market is hosting an evening Holiday Market at the Texan venue in Athens on Saturday, December 15, from 5-9 pm. The City of Athens Christmas Parade will start at 5:30 pm.  This Christmas shopping event has been overwhelmingly received by local artisans and small local businesses, with over 75 vendors expressing a desire to present their offerings. Many of your favorite market vendors will be there with their seasonal foods and products including locally sourced meats (Red Wattle Pork and Beef), jams & jellies, goat milk soaps, local honey, baked goods, jewelry, leatherwork, personalized gift baskets and so much more!

Door-prizes for shoppers will be awarded every 30 minutes throughout the evening. Alongside the 75+ vendors, there will be at least 5 food vendors, including Mow’s BBQ (a long time market favorite), Dough Balls Pizza, Fizzy Swig, Hot Diggity Dog, and Tilo’s locally famous street tacos! There will also be live music featuring 4 local musicians, Shane Rendon, Tyler Matthews, and — with Drake Grammer. We haven’t forgotten about the kids! There will be free cookie decorating every 30 minutes with Matthew of Lakeland House to sign up for (limited quantities). Bring your camera or phone and take your own pictures with Santa sponsored by Reigning Jewels and Athens Army Navy & Pawn.  Coupled with our wonderful community and lots of love for all things local, we will make this inaugural event one you don’t want to miss!

The Texan will be filled wall to wall with wonderful holiday inspired shopping with many more vendors outside to shop from as well. We would like to also thank Athens Screen Printing for providing shopping bags for our first 100+ customers; come early and get yours! Big thanks to Come and Take It for their sponsorship in shedding some light on our situation with their sponsorship of lighting for our event! Lastly, thank you to Paul Benson with Virtual Communications for his continued support, sponsorship, and for our beautiful holiday banners!

The market will be open December 15 from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM at The Texan, both before and after the annual Christmas Parade.  With over 75 vendors, this is not a shopping event you will want to miss!

Press release

Traci and Jackie Wilkes of Reigning Jewels Fine Jewelry in Athens recently returned from a buying trip to the Diamond Capital of the World, Antwerp, Belgium. While there, they had the unique opportunity to examine huge parcels of exquisitely cut diamonds to find the very best selections for their inventory.

Pictured above, Traci Wilkes checks a diamond for sale to one of their customers. “We hand-select each and every diamond that comes into our store,” Wilkes says. “Some people think one can look at a piece of paper on the internet and select a stone, but there’s no way to tell if that stone has fire, has life – I need it to say something to me. If I’m going to put my name and my reputation behind a diamond, I’m going to be certain it’s the quality for which Reigning Jewels Fine Jewelry is known.”

Continue reading “Reigning Jewels Fine Jewelry brings back diamonds from Antwerp”