Athens —
The Athens Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors took no action Monday on amending an incentive package designed to entice Champion Homes to expand its operation in the city.
Board members hope to have a Champion official present at a future AEDC meeting before making a decision on the incentive offer.
Champion and its manufactured housing factory was once a major employer in the city. The Michigan-based corporation eventually closed its Athens plant, but reappeared with the purchase of Athens Park Homes in January.
At a September AEDC meeting, Champion approved a $171,000 incentive package to be paid to the company over a 2-year period. The proposal stated that a $24,000 incentive would be paid after Champion submits invoices documenting equipment purchase.
If the equipment purchases do not exceed $500,000, then no capital expenditure incentive will be paid.
The AEDC proposal also offered job-creation incentives for all employees working at the Athens facility. Based on the number of proposed jobs, the incentive would total $147,000, in equal installments over a 2-year period.
The AEDC presented the plan to the City Council, and ran into opposition.
After a discussion, the council requested that the AEDC Board re-evaluate the incentive amount, and to come back with a number closer to $103,000.
The board re-worked the proposal to include the $24,000 capital expenditure, and a total of $77,500 for job creation.
Board member Joe Masso asked AEDC President/CEO Brian Malone how Champion officials reacted to the news that the incentive package was being reworked.
“Mystified, in a sense,” Malone said. “Essentially, what they’re now doing is trying to re-evaluate between expansion potential here in Athens, or at their plant in Burleson.”
Local News
AEDC discusses Champion Homes incentive package
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Too close to home
It was the kind of moment any parent would dread.
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Give it to Jody!
The 50th annual Henderson County Farm and Ranch Tour concluded Tuesday with a luncheon on the floor of the Henderson County Fair Park Complex arena and the naming presentation of the Joe B. Fulgham Agriculturist of the Year.
The 25th recipient of the award was Jody Jackson of Murchison, whose farming and ranching operations started with a few cattle and some chickens then grew to one of the county’s most varied operations. -
County votes to sell old annex building
Henderson County officials on Tuesday narrowly approved contracting with an Athens realtor to list the old Courthouse Annex building for sale.
Steve Grant Real Estate was chosen to sell the property by a 3-to-2 vote. Precinct 3 Commissioner Ronny Lawrence and Precinct 4 Commissioner Ken Geeslin cast the dissenting votes. -
Burk to serve as next ACA administrator
Athens Christian Academy (Kindergarten through 6th grade) is pleased to announce Dale Burk as the new administrator beginning July 2013.
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Bullying just got tougher
To reduce the prevalence of school age bullying the Athens Independent School District has added a new communications tool called Anonymous Alerts, allowing individuals to quickly, easily and anonymously report urgent information that they may otherwise be uncomfortable revealing.
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Magnificent 7
The Athens Odd Fellow Lodge No. 961 and Athens Rebekah Lodge No. 23 has seven students who are receiving a $500 scholarship to Trinity Valley Community College for this year.
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Area woman killed
A 49-year-old Mabank woman died as a result of injuries sustained when she was struck by a vehicle while walking on State Highway 198 in Payne Springs Friday night.
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Lusk found guilty
A jury returned a guilty verdict on Tuesday against 36 year-old Danny Ray Lusk for sexual misconduct involving two children.
Henderson County District Attorney Scott McKee said the punishment phase of the trial which began May 14 was set to begin Tuesday in Judge Mark Calhoon’s 3rd District Court. -
Keep Athens Beautiful celebrates 25 years
Keep Athens Beautiful (KAB) celebrated 25 years with a banquet at Athens Country Club last Friday night. The evening was hosted by Darwin Winfield (not pictured). Peggy Rhodes (left) presented Hugh Armstrong (second from the right) the Margaret Myers Award. Carol Morton (far right) presented two people with the Hall of Fame Award — Jerry Wadell and Victory Roberts (second and third from left). Margaret Myers is also pictured with the award winners, third from right. View additional photos from the event at www.athensreview.com.
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Art hits the streets in Mabank
The Mabank Branch of the Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the fifth Mabank Festival and Art Show on Market Street in downtown Mabank this past weekend. Hundreds of people and more than 75 vendors attended the event. In addition to the artwork and other items for sale, there were food vendors and entertainment for children. View additional photos at www.athensreview.com.
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