Business View Civil and Municipal | Volume 3, Issue 3

116 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3 individuals. The manufacturing sector also has a major impact on the economy of Athens. Quidel, for example, produces test kits such as the COVID-19 rapid-test kits, and their presence in Athens has had quite a remarkable effect not only on the economy but in providing aid to those potentially impacted by the pandemic. With all the attraction for businesses and students to the area, is the housing market prepared to take on the new residents that will follow? Patterson admits, “The lion’s share of the housing is currently rental units. However, we’re now seeing that the multi-unit apartment buildings in the area are for sale. And in turn, these former rentals are being turned into affordable housing. We have done some creative things to help developers who would like to turn undeveloped land into housing units, where there isn’t necessarily infrastructure there, i.e., streets, water, sewer utilities.” He hopes that this Other points commonly appreciated by new businesses include the appealing cost of living, Athens’ convenient location in terms of ground transportation, and the availability of resources and technology. A large industrial area called Tyson Industrial Park is located just a few miles outside of Athens in Athens County, and it houses Sterling Ultra Cold Global Cooling – a company that played a large role in the safe storage of COVID vaccines. In the city itself, the healthcare industry plays a massive role. According to Patterson, “When I look at the number of healthcare facilities, including Ohio University’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, I would say the healthcare sector is pretty robust in the city of Athens.” Other mentionable healthcare facilities in the area include the Holzer Health System and O’Bleness Hospital. Most recently, the Marietta Memorial Hospital broke ground on a new, freestanding emergency hospital in Athens, providing immediate employment for 60