Business-Henderson County Now

Around the Town: Gary Sobol visits Cedar Lake

By Loretta Humble/Around the Town

If I had been paying more attention to what is going on in my own company, I would have already been writing about it, because it is a really big deal. Now it’s been in all the papers, so I’m behind the times on this, but I’m going to tell you about it anyhow, because maybe you missed it.

The short version is this: a man named Gary Sobol, who had Parkinson’s so bad he was basically helpless, decided he wasn’t ready to give up. On his own, he researched and developed a program of exercises that gradually got him back on his feet, and doing just about everything he ever did. Now he has had great success teaching other people how to do the same.

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Athens Chamber holds YEA graduation ceremony

13260160_282456355429693_1336375176923492108_n (1) — (Photo via Athens Chamber Facebook page)

The Athens Chamber of Commerce held a graduation ceremony recently for the members of their Young Entrepreneurs Academy. These students took 30 weeks out of their lives, from November to May, and created their own businesses. As CEOs, they came up with business plans, financials, marketing plans and filed their DBAs.

“We at the Athens Chamber of Commerce could not be prouder of the great accomplishments they have made,” said Kristina Jacobson of the chamber. “We are excited to watch them grow and prosper throughout their business venture.”

The students included Esteban Chairez, Evan Conley, Hayden Gore, Lauryn Gore, Christian Kocian, Kaden Mattingly, Brooklynn Newman and Will Perryman.

Mike Coston resigns as Athens Chamber president

By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN

Mike Coston’s last public appearance as the president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce came Tuesday afternoon as he helped preside over the Farm & Ranch Tour luncheon at the Cain Center.

By Tuesday night, he was gone.

Coston tendered his resignation effective immediately Tuesday, according to multiple city officials.

Chamber Board Chairman Steve Barksdale told the Athens Daily Review: “(Tuesday) afternoon our president of the chamber, Mike Coston, tendered his resignation effective immediately to pursue other career opportunities. The executive board accepted his resignation. Mike has brought financial stability to our chamber. We all have been blessed by the numerous programs he brought to us over the past year and half.”

Coston joined the Athens Chamber in August 2014 after being CEO of the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America and the Kilgore Chamber of Commerce.

Those wishing to reach the Athens Chamber can call Chamber Secretary Kristina Jacobson at 903-675-5181.

Athens EDC executive director gives year-end presentation

Athens EDC Executive Director Lisa Denton recently gave a presentation to members of the City Council wrapping up the past 15 months.

“The 15-month period represented in the presentation was certainly an eventful time,” Denton said. “It is fairly unusual to have so many projects in such a short period, but I believe we really just had the perfect storm in Athens over the past year or so. With new leadership across the field that is progressive and ready for growth, it has allowed Athens to become a more attractive location for expansions and relocations. Hopefully we can continue to build on this and increase our competitiveness in the marketplace.”

Here is the presentation.

Athens EDC Year End Presentation from Michael V. Hannigan

FutureMatrix to expand and create 100 new jobs in Athens

By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN

One of Athens’ largest employers is looking to add jobs.

If you have staff working remotely you can use employee computer monitoring software to see what they are doing and so ensure that they are working on what they should be.

The Athens Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) board last week approved an incentive package for FutureMatrix Interventional to expand and create 100 new jobs. The plan calls for FutureMatrix to invest about $3.3 million in enlarging its Athens Industrial Park facility.

The AEDC’s package includes $200,000 in performance incentives payable over the next three years. The payments are linked to FutureMatrix meeting investment and job creation benchmarks. Click here, vanguard esg etf for the details about social index fund.

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