Business View Civil and Municipal | Volume 3, Issue 3

113 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3 ATHENS , OHIO for its walkability, year-round beauty, musical appreciation, and natural treasures. This tight- knit community in the Hocking Hills enjoys scenic landscapes with the Hocking River flowing right through the heart of the city. Steve Patterson, Mayor of Athens, was recently appointed to the U.S. Global Leaders Coalition advisory board. He reports, “I enjoy being tied in to the coalition as a mayor, it’s even more important today to cast my community in a positive light, so part of my being involved in various boards and commissions is to get the word out that Athens is a great place to live, work, and play – whether remotely or in person. I would frame Athens as the quintessential college town, playing host to the first university established in the Northwest Territory back in 1804 – less than 10 years after the city itself was established.” Ohio University was chartered by Thomas Jefferson for higher learning in the Northwest Territory, and since then the town and the university have grown together, settled comfortably in the rolling foothills. Patterson acknowledges that one of the key reasons businesses are attracted to the area is for the talented individuals coming out of Ohio University – many of which opt to stay in the community following the completion of their education. Much of this has to do with the quality of life in Athens, continuously attracting new businesses, while happily retaining others. People and businesses alike appreciate the arts and entertainment aspects, as well as the outdoor recreation. He explains, “Going back to 2016 and the idea of having 88 miles of mountain bike trail built in the Wayne National Forest, as Mayor, I knew right away that was going to have a huge positive economic impact on our community. But it would also be a strong attractant to new businesses that have a desire to have outdoor recreation opportunities for their employees. So, I’ve been a strong advocate.”