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Combating Poverty In Appalachia -Fighting Back
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Don’t think the fact that Athens County is one of the poorest counties in Appalachia is slowing down business in the area.
Athens and surrounding counties have found the necessary tool to surviving and pushing through these tough economic times is working together.
Local businesses around the area are staying positive. CEO and owner of Snowville Creamery, Warren Taylor says, “Anybody can look at the disadvantages or weaknesses. The real opportunity is looking at a difficult situation, seeing the weaknesses, seeing the problems and being able to see the unique strengths and opportunities that exist there.”
Snowville, a milk bottling plant in Meig’s County, works with other businesses around town to promote their products.
“Its our idea that we are bringing very good sustainably produced food to the market. It’s also our idea, not an original idea but its also important to us that we are apart of our community and contributing to our community, “ say’s Taylor
Local businesses believe that by promoting and working with each other they are able to bring money to the area.
Brewmaster for Jackie O's, Brad Clark, believes in the impact of working together and says, “Eat and drink local, that’s our main thing, Just keeping the money in Athens is huge to us.”
Jackie O’s is another restaurant in town that works with local farmers to give their menu a unique fresh style. Another thing that makes Jackie O’s unique is the fact that they brew their own tasty beers.
“We will go from Marietta up through Athens up to Columbus. That will be our first kind of push for distribution. Then over time we hope to become state wide and then through that period we will also add bottle or cans or possibly both to our line up,” says Clark.
Coming together as a community has local businesses thriving throughout the area. Support your economy by supporting businesses who look out for one another.
Check out 30 Mile Meal Project, Hock Hill's, and Casa Nueva!