Athens and McMinn County Tennessee
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
Crops: Hay, feed grains, tobacco
BUSINESS
The economy is a mixture of retail, manufacturing, agriculture and tourism. Electricity is furnished by TVA and Athens Utility Board. Natural gas is provided by East Tennessee Natural Gas.
CHURCHES
AME Zion, African Methodist, Baptist, Catholic, Church of Christ, Church of God, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Episcopal, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Methodist, Nazarene, Pentecostal Holiness, Presbyterian, Seventh Day Adventist.
CLIMATE
Annual Average Temperature: 59
Average Annual Precipitation: 69"
Average Annual Snow & Sleet: 5"
Prevailing Winds-Summer: Southwest to Northeast
Prevailing Winds-Winter: Northwest to Southeast
Average Annual Days with Minimum of 32 or above: 266
EDUCATION
Public Schools are operated by McMinn County, Athens and Etowah. There are several private church sponsored schools also. Athens is the home of Tennessee Wesleyan College and other colleges are located in nearby Cleveland, Chattanooga, Maryville and Knoxville.
LOCATION
Region: East
County: McMinn (Areas 435 sq. mi.)
Distance From: Knoxville - 52 miles
Distance From: Chattanooga - 49 miles
MANUFACTURING
The industrial community includes Bowater Inc., Southern Division at Calhoun that produces newsprint. The Woodlands Division raises and buy pulpwood for the mill.
Other manufacturers produce stoves, batteries, furniture, farm machinery, plastics, electrical components, food products, tanker trailers, automobile parts, plastic parts and chemicals.
MUNICIPAL FACILITIES
Government (type): Council-Manager
Policeman: 28 Cars: 10
Fire Department: 10 vehicles, 20 full-time firemen, 25 volunteers
NATURAL RESOURCES
Minerals: Limestone
Timber: Oak, Poplar, Pine, Hickory
RECREATION
There are over 40 acres of developed parks, picnic facilities, softball fields, tennis courts and basketball courts. Nearby scenic rivers like Hiwassee, Ocoee and Tellico provide trout fishing, canoeing, rafting and kayaking. The Cherokee National Forest is close by and offers picnicing, camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, boating, rafting, canoeing, kayaking, caving, birdwatching and other outdoor activities. The Ocoee River in Polk County was the site of the 1996 Olympic Whitewater competition.
Watts Bar Lake in Meigs County offers beautiful scenery, great fishing, boating, water skiing and picnicking. Camping at the lakes and rivers and nearby Cherokee National Forest and Great Smoky Mountain National Park provide some of the most scenic views in the United States. Picnicking, hiking, hunting and backpacking are popular activities in these areas.
Country clubs, museums, libraries, theaters, golf courses, skating rinks, and bowling alleys round out the recreational opportunities in McMinn County.
TRANSPORTATION
Railroads: CSX Transportation, Norfolk/Southern
Highways: Interstate 75, U.S. 411, Hwy. 30, 39
Motor Freight Companies: 14
Navigable Waterway:
River: Hiwassee - Channel Depth: 9'
Nearest Port Facility: Calhoun, 15 miles
Airport:
Location: McMinn County Airport
Runway Length: 5000' Surface: Asphalt
Lighting: Yes
Gas: Yes - Octane Available: 100 octane
Commercial Service - Knoxville
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