James May-June 2025 web - Flipbook - Page 40
continue to see) silos begin
to come down. We aren’t
there yet but we have come
a long way.”
From that Tuscaloosa
trip, the Chamber realized
that its most pressing
issue, in which they can
have a very direct impact,
is in workforce/career
AT HE NS FA R ME R’ S M A R KE T
development. The West
Alabama Chamber was
recognized by ACCE as the No. 1 Chamber in the Country
in 2022 because of their workforce programming. Athens
opted to try to build a duplicative program. In September
2024, they received a grant from Athens-Clarke County to
implement a creative and ambitious plan called Athens
Achieves. “We are in the initial stages but expect we
may be able to positively change the course of thousands
of people that will be more equipped to participate in our
economy,” said Bradley.
Bradley’s favorites? I do like a barstool, I do like playing
golf at any of our outstanding courses but I have been
married to my best friend, Dawn, for 35 years. I know it
sounds sappy but my favorite spot would be just about
anywhere with Dawn by my side.
Paddling together
Ilka McConnell is the economic
development director for Athens-Clarke
County. Ilka is a triple Dawg, with her
Bachelors, Masters and PhD all from the
University of Georgia. She worked in the
Public Service and Outreach Office at
UGA for ten years, first at the Carl Vinson
Institute of Government and then joining
the Archway Partnership as their on-theground faculty member in Hart County,
focused on community and economic
development. From there, she got into economic development full-time and joined Athens-Clarke in 2020.
“The cool thing about Athens, in my experience, is that
it is such a dynamic community that there are new things
to discover and love at different life stages: college student, young professional, parent and now, in my 40s. My
parents relocated here two years ago, and it has been so
much fun for me to “rediscover” Athens through their eyes
as new residents.”
For McConnell, Athens-Clarke’s biggest win during
her tenure is Meissner. It was in the spring of 2023 that it
selected Athens as the site of its new facility. And it was
the biggest economic development announcement in
county history. Meissner produces filtration devices and
single-use systems for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. It is investing an incredible $290 million
to create 1,785 jobs, with about half of those for production-level roles, and half research & development roles.
“Another significant win is the continued growth and
expansion of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health in our
community,” said McConnell. “Their recent addition of
a $58 million Global Innovation Center and the addition
of 55 new jobs to their Athens campus reflects a shift of
their Athens campus towards research & development, in
addition to existing production of animal vaccines.”
It seems like a good time to be an economic developer in Athens. The city-county has added 30,000 people
since 2000, and for anyone who has looked at real estate,
the growth and demand are evident, spilling over into
strong growth in neighboring counties. “Athens-Clarke
County is in a period of strong momentum, and communicating, collaborating and keeping everyone connected
so we are paddling strategically together is crucial,” concludes McConnell.
McConnell’s favorites? Asking about my favorite Athens
event is like asking me to name my favorite ice cream
昀氀avor! It’s impossible to pick just one, and several favorites are PorchFest, Wild Rumpus, and the Twilight Criterium. Favorite spots in Athens are the Children’s Garden
at the State Botanical Garden, and the Athens Farmer’s
Market at Bishop Park.
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Baker Owens is a staff writer for James and James Magazine Online.
