The city of Athens is on an upward trajectory, and there are no signs of slowing down in sight. With a steady increase in population growth and new developments popping up throughout the city’s limits, Athens is swiftly becoming one of the most desirable places to live, work and visit in the state of Alabama. 

“We had a really good fiscal year in 2024. On top of completing a lot of projects, we were also able to get a lot of really good projects going as well,” Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks told The News Courier. “We are looking forward to continuing that progress in 2025. Our revenue stream from October, November and December all seem to be positive, so I expect nothing less than a great 2025. Once we get into the spring and the weather warms up, a lot of our projects will start getting under way.”

The Athens City Council voted unanimously to approve their new budget for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year during their regularly scheduled meeting on Sept. 23, 2024. The 2025 General Fund Operating Budget boasts more than $50.1 million in total revenues — a 15.1 percent increase from the 2023-2024 general fund budget. 

“Athens is in a great and enviable position of being a small town with very strong revenues,” Athens City Councilwoman Dana Henry said after the September 2024 meeting. “We are able to fund our various programs without worrying about income, like a lot of other small towns. We are truly blessed.”

According to information obtained from Athens City Clerk Annette Barnes-Threet, who worked in conjunction with other city department heads to author the new budget, total operating expenditures have also increased to more than $49.5 million in the new budget. That jump is a 12.8 percent increase from last fiscal year’s budget.

“It is a great thing that we have a healthy and robust budget,” Henry said. “We are able to operate and expand services, to make critical updates and offer our employees a decent wage. Sadly, that’s not the case everywhere. Through my contacts with other council members from across the state and region, a lot of communities are hurting.”

Several new projects have followed the increase in revenues. From new dining options such as Texas Roadhouse, Five Guys and a Nothing Bundt Cakes, to new shopping centers such as a Food City and a new Publix — several large businesses are eager to call the city of Athens home. 

But Athens’ success story is not just about growth and new developments — it is also about the resilience that was shown by the small businesses and residents impacted by the devastating EF-1 tornado on Dec. 28, 2024. 

“Our people always come together when times are tough,” Marks said. “When you feel down and out, especially in the face of a natural disaster of that magnitude, this community rallies behind you. We are tough and strong … and we are so fortunate to have such a good workforce behind us. The work of the guys and girls with our utilities services was outstanding, I am so proud of the work they accomplished to get us back on our feet. We also have to credit the work Tere Richardson did with Athens Main Street to ensure that those businesses around the Square were going to be able to continue their work after the storm. There is still some work we have to do in terms of maintenance and repairs … but I’m just so thankful to live in a community like Athens.”

Downtown Athens is thriving once again, as several local businesses have already reopened their doors. The city’s parks and recreation department is also flourishing, with a focus on quality of life issues that are attracting more and more people to the area. 

On Jan. 27, the Athens City Council approved two resolutions relating to outdoor recreation improvements at Swan Creek Park. At that same meeting, the Council also unanimously passed a resolution that allowed Mayor Marks to accept four bid packages relating to the continued construction of Sunrise Park.

“We are very placed to have the legislative body that we do here in Athens,” Marks said. “We try to work together all the time, and people take how good our City Council is for granted at times. If you travel all over the state like I do, you would recognize how much our City Council is responsible for. They not only oversee budgets, appointments and adopting policies and laws, but they are also responsible for Athens Utilities as well. 2025 is also an election year, so all of our positions are going to be open for the people to vote on soon. I strongly encourage our residents to make sure that whoever you vote for is after the best interest of the city and our growth.”

Athens will look to continue its upward momentum, as they prepare to elect their legislative body, they will also be preparing to showcase all of its classic southern charm to the rest of the world. In October, Athens will play host to the 2025 AL-MS-TN Rural Tourism Conference — bringing together tourism professionals from across the Southern United States to experience all of the quality services the city has to offer. 

“What a great opportunity this will be to show off how great our community is,” Marks said. “We have a proud community, even people from the State House in Montgomery who visit here say how much of a jewel this place is. We have to keep building on all of this good here, and you can only do that by having a strong foundation. I have no doubt that the people of our city are our foundation. They are what makes everything go, and they are what will fuel this city into the future.”