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 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