The Athens Armory, a revitalization project designed to foster small business growth and economic development in uptown Athens, celebrated its opening today. The City of Athens, in partnership with JobsOhio, Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE), the Athens City Community Improvement Corporation, and the Athens County Economic Development Council, held a ribbon-cutting celebration this afternoon and welcomed the community to tour the newly renovated building.

Over $6.5 million was invested to redevelop the historic building in the heart of Athens to create much-needed co-working and small office space, as well as event space and corporate offices for The Athens County Foundation. This development is part of a larger plan to redevelop the Stimson Avenue corridor in Athens.

"Giving new life to Ohio's historic communities honors our past while paving the way for modernization and ingenuity," said Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. "By restoring the historic Athens Armory, we are boosting opportunity for small businesses and entrepreneurs while preserving our heritage in the Appalachian region."

Tuesday’s celebration was hosted by the City of Athens in partnership with Sunday Creek Horizons and attended by Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik, JobsOhio Vice President of Sites and Infrastructure Terry Slaybaugh, OhioSE President and CEO Matt Abbott, Col. Jonathan Stewart, and Athens Mayor Steve Patterson, along with regional leaders and community partners.

“The 111-year-old Athens Armory was both a bulwark supporting our national and state defense, as well as a centerpiece of Athens’ civic life for decades,” said Athens Mayor Steve Patterson. “Upon its closure, a wise previous mayor purchased it to save this prominent historic building from the wrecking ball. For nearly 30 years, the city cared for it and dreamed of what it could be. Now we’ve finally revitalized this landmark. It will once again serve the community’s civic and economic interests while celebrating the commitments of veterans from our area.”

A catalytic project for the community, the rehabilitation of the Armory has created a co-working space that aligns with the Athens Remote Worker Strategy and an accessible community event space for private and public use. Through this redevelopment, the Armory now offers wrap-around services for community nonprofits and entrepreneurs.

“Renovating the iconic Athens Armory is both an economic and symbolic milestone, demonstrating our deep commitment to Southeastern Ohio," said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “Through hard work and collaboration with local and regional partners, ​this revitalized landmark will anchor the Stimson Avenue Corridor, preserving the community’s past while bringing a modern workspace to attract new investment downtown. "

The project received funding support from the Appalachian Community Grant Program ($2.5 million), the City of Athens’ ARPA fund ($500,000), the City of Athens’ General Revenue Fund ($900,000), the Ohio Capital Bill ($600,000), Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council ($350,00 and the Appalachian Regional Commission ($640,000).

The project was also supported by a JobsOhio Vibrant Community grant of $976,815. The JobsOhio Vibrant Community Program offers competitive grants for development projects that help transform areas within a distressed community. Eligible projects include mixed-use projects, real estate development projects, and operated shared spaces that meet the JobsOhio project criteria.

“The planning and vision for the redevelopment of the Armory had been in the works for many years,” said Mollie Fitzgerald, Executive Director of the Athens County Economic Development Council. “Support from the Vibrant Communities program helped get it over the finish line.”

The building’s first floor houses the co-working space, which includes private offices and desks as well as flex spaces. The event space is located on the second floor, ideal for musical performances, conferences, workshops, weddings, and other public and private events. The Athens County Foundation is now housed on the third floor.

“The Athens Armory is a wonderful example of a truly transformational development project,” said Matt Abbott, President and CEO of OhioSE. “This revitalization project aligned with the community’s redevelopment plan to bring much-needed services and capacity to uptown Athens. We look forward to seeing this building thrive as a community hub for years to come.”

View the original release

Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE) is the JobsOhio Network Partner for southern, eastern, and southeastern Ohio, providing economic development work and resources in 25 rural counties. Geographically the largest of the seven regions across the state, OhioSE partners closely with regional development districts, local economic development offices, state agencies, and other entities to expand, retain, and attract businesses in the counties they serve.