Good morning, Athens.

Residents can learn about the Welcome Home Athens project for 8 affordable homes at an informational meeting on Saturday, Aug.

22 at 10 a.m. in the Community Center Room A. The project is funded by a $2 million grant from the Welcome Home Ohio program.

Vendor forms for The Plains Indian Mound Festival 2026 are now available.

The event runs Oct. 2 to 4 in The Plains—forms can be requested by email or picked up at All-American Trophy Shop, sponsored by The Plains Lions Club.

Athens-based ACEnet announced that current Director Adam Kody will become Executive Director on Sept.

1 (with retiring Executive Director Larry Fisher providing support until year-end) as it continues to boost regional entrepreneurship.

OpenAI announced plans to lease eight gigawatts of a proposed data center campus in Pike County that SB Energy will build starting in October; the project is set to create thousands of construction and operating jobs and includes a $40M community grant to support local schools + emergency services.

Nelsonville-York City School District today announced plans to build a Community Innovation Center that will join STEM learning, dental care, and workforce services in one location for students and families.

A groundbreaking ceremony is set for Monday, Aug. 24 (before the Back-to-School Open House), and construction will begin in November.

The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio is accepting 2026 grant applications from public and nonprofit groups for conservation projects in Appalachian Ohio.

Eligible applicants must submit online by Tuesday, Sept. 29 to support endeavors like watershed restoration and sustainable forest practices.

Athens County Commissioners received an update on storm recovery as six homes reported minor damage and volunteer support faced challenges.

They also discussed broadband issues as Frontier plans to remove copper phone lines near Wallbrown Road— the board meets Aug. 25 at 9:30 a.m. in the courthouse annex.

Tick Talk is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug.

27 at the Athens Community Center, Room A701 E. State Street, where Jenny Leigh from the Athens City-County Health Department will explain tick bite prevention and species identification. The free event is sponsored by Friends of Strouds Run State Park & Athens Conservancy & Athens Arts, Parks, and Recreation.