EDA Wins Major Award

3 Jun 2016


Over the past few years, McMinn County has seen record-breaking business and job growth, and the efforts of the community are being recognized on a national stage.

It isn't often that a community the size of McMinn County, in rural America, receives the accolades it deserves, but our great community and the McMinn County Development Authority are being recognized for their achievements. The McMinn County EDA received the 2016 Mac Conway Award for Excellence in Economic Development by Conway Data and Site Selection Magazine for Athens being in the Top 10 Micropolitan Statistical Area out of 579 in the nation. The Census Bureau defines a micropolitan statistical area as an area that has at least one urban cluster that has a population of at least 10,000, but less than 50,000.

The award was named after the founder of Conway Data and Site Selection magazine.

Site Selection Magazine reports that "Mac Conway had a passion for making things better - in his community, his state, in the world," Site Selection reported. "He recognized that same passion in the economic developers who worked day in and day out to attract the investment that would help the people in their communities thrive and prosper."

The awards selection committee reviews total job creation and investment, and per capita job creation and investment in the region. The committee also considers how the local economic development organizations are working to solve critical issues in their communities.

"It takes an entire community coming together to help reach milestones and receive this type of recognition," McMinn County EDA Executive Director Kathy Price said. "Each and every one of us are economic developers as we all contribute to this community, its economy, and its quality of life. So, the McMinn County Economic Development Authority thanks each of you for the part you played in this achievement."

About the EDA

The McMinn County Economic Development Authority's mission is to facilitate the creation and retention of quality jobs for the citizens of McMinn County and increase capital investment in through a targeted marketing plan and program with regional partnerships.

For more information, contact Kathy Price at 745-1506 or by e-mail at Kathy@MakeItInMcMinn.org or go the website at www.MakeItInMcMinn.org