Great Timing – Way to Go Athens Politicians

After convincing 12% of Athens’ registered voters to believe bricks & mortar could educate children and that money spent on contractors and bond investors was “for our children,” bad economic news has hit what was long ago called “the friendly city.”

Athens announced that construction spending for 2019 has dropped by 76% compared to the same period one year ago.

To add more injury to the local economy this week it was pointed out the dairy industry is in real trouble with U.S. dairy product exports having plummeted 43% since the Trump tarriffs were enacted Story.  The dairy industry has seen farm after farm close in McMinn County, the decrease demand for products will not help. Last year Wisconsin alone saw the closing of 7,000 farms.  We can only hope that McMinn and Tennessee fair better.

And these bits of bad news come just when the City of Athens hits the area with the first of two massive tax hikes - salt on the wound!.