I
n an effort to show our sincerest apprecia on for the
tremendous contribu on industry makes to the county's
economic well‐being, the Athens‐Clarke County Economic
Development Department hosted it’s inaugural Industry
Apprecia on Dinner & Awards on April 23, 2014. The event was
hosted at the Foundry Park Inn which was once a true Foundry
where blacksmiths cra ed famous works such as the UGA Arch
and the Double‐Barreled Cannon.
Nearly 50 members of the industrial community along with
Mayor Nancy Denson, several County Commissioners, State
Representa ves and around 30 local community representa ves
enjoyed an evening of networking and acknowledgement. The
evening included awards en tled "Community Commitment
Award" for milestone anniversaries of 10 years for Power
Partners and 25 years for Nakanishi Metal Works, Co. as well as a
presenta on of the Manufacturer of the Year as selected by
Athens Technical College who nominated them at the state
level.
Carrier Transicold’s Athens transport refrigera on plant, which
celebrated its 25th anniversary in the community last year, was
named the inaugural Athens‐Clarke County Manufacturer of the
Year and also received a Community Commitment Award. You
can read more about Carrier Transicold on the following pages.
Aside from the awards, the evening was a celebra on of the
county’s manufacturing sector. Ryan Moore, Director of the
Athens‐Clarke County Economic Development Department, told
the crowd manufacturers in Athens‐Clarke County employ
almost 6,000 people and pay a wage that is well above the
average for our community.
Mayor Nancy Denson also offered some brief remarks, calling
local industries “the unsung heroes in our community,” and
saying the community is “very, very proud of the many of you
here.”
The keynote speaker for the evening was Cliff Pyron, Chief
Commercial Officer of the Georgia Ports Authority. His
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT www.AthensBusiness.org 706-613-3233