Community :: Athens Area Chamber of Commerce

As a 'rural-cosmopolitan' community, Athens County offers the best of both worlds - big-city amenities wrapped in small-town hospitality. The rolling hills of southeastern Ohio draw people from all over the world who wish to live and work in this pastoral, yet progressive, county.

In 1805, the city of Athens was designated the county seat. The year prior, the Ohio General Assembly chartered Ohio University, making it the first institution of higher learning in the Northwest Territory. Today, Ohio University boasts over 20,000 students at its main campus in Athens. With students from every state in the nation and about 100 other countries, Ohio University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees, as well as a four-year program in osteopathic medicine.

Founded in 1968, Hocking College in Nelsonville offers 2-year programs in culinary arts, industrial ceramics and adventure travel, e-commerce, forestry, back country horsemanship, correction, interpretive services and compressor technology, to name a few. Special events held on campus include the Timber & Outdoor Show at Hocking College, which draws over 60,000 visitors, and the International Bow Hunter Challenge, which attracts more that 2,500 shooters a year.

Athens County, once a thriving coal community, now offers diverse employment opportunities. Ohio University, Hocking College, O'Bleness Hospital, Doctor's Hospital, Diagnostic Hybrids and Global Cooling are just a sampling of the larger employers. The county also prides itself on the numerous entrepreneurs, including artists, specialty food producers, researchers, consultants and contractors, who have established thriving small businesses.

Perhaps what entices people the most to Athens County is the scene beauty. Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the area features a national forest, state parks and a 19-mile paved recreation path that connects the cities of Athens and Nelsonville. Recreation opportunities abound, including hiking, bicycling, boating, fishing, camping, hunting, and canoing on the Hocking River.

The slower pace of Athens County, along with its cultural activities and scenic charm, make it a great place to visit, and an even better place to live!