Athens mayoral candidate Kelly Girtz has unveiled a five-point business plan for the Classic City. Girtz plans to Create a “one-stop shop” for business permitting, use tax allocation districts to support creation of new development areas, provide funding to expand capacities of existing tech incubator and small business branding efforts, develop an economic strategy to emphasize core strengths and fund efforts to map and improve land available for business development.
Last month candidate Richie Knight urged local commissioners to merge the ACC Economic Development Department with the Athens-Area Chamber of Commerce. They are facing off against former long-term commissioner Harry Sims in the battle to become Athens next mayor.
