Appalachian Community Grant Program Award

Shayne Lopez • March 20, 2023

$2 million community-focused renovations to The Athens Armory will support business growth, remote working, leadership development, nonprofit support services

 

Athens, Ohio – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted announced the first-round recipients of the Appalachian Community Grant Program, which includes the planned renovations of The Athens Armory. The Athens Armory project was funded as part of a larger four-county initiative called At Work in Appalachia. Developed in partnership by the City of Athens and other Appalachian communities, At Work in Appalachia establishes coordinated, interconnected remote work and entrepreneur hubs, and locally-designed health and workforce development programming through a series of public and private partnerships. 

“This landmark investment in Appalachia is going to change lives and improve communities,” said Athens Mayor Steve Patterson. “The communities of the At Work in Appalachia program express their deepest gratitude to Governor DeWine, Lieutenant Governor Husted, Director Mihalek, Director Carey, and to all of the partners who helped make this program a success.”

In addition to The Athens Armory, the funds will help complete several capital projects within four Appalachian communities of Ohio: The Logan Theater in Logan; The Space at the Hocking Hills Chamber of Commerce; The Somerset Builder’s Club in Somerset; and the Coshocton Collaborative in Coshocton. These projects are “lynchpin” projects, which will breathe new vibrancy into long-neglected downtown districts, and will serve as catalysts for further improvements and development.

“The Athens Armory is an iconic community asset, built for civic purpose,” said Kerry Pigman, executive director of the Athens County Foundation. “It will now have a new life, adapted for advancing our Athens County communities today. We are grateful to have worked alongside the City of Athens and so many community partners and individuals whose ideas shaped the vision for how this space would best serve Athens county and our region.”

The plans for The Athens Armory call for a community gathering space that will be available for use by organizations and the general public. Portions of the building will be designed as shared workspace and the permanent offices for the Athens County Foundation. The Athens County Foundation is expanding and evolving their flagship Leadership Athens County Program to provide new opportunities for collaboration, skill-building, and community service to emerging leaders, youth, and the more than 300 alumni of the program. From this new space, the Athens County Foundation will be able to offer expanded services that respond to community needs and help nonprofits to thrive and be sustainable.

In total, the At Work in Appalachia initiative was awarded $17,674,641 from the Ohio Department of Development and the Governor’s Office of Appalachia through the Appalachian Community Grant Program. The program dedicated $500 million to Ohio’s 32-county Appalachian region through House Bill 377 and is intended to revitalize communities and stimulate transformational change through specific projects that focus on infrastructure development, physical and behavioral health, and workforce development. At Work in Appalachia is one of four projects that received funding in this $50 million first round of awards.

 

Founded in 1980, the Athens County Foundation invests in local strategies to empower Athens County residents and build on the strengths of our region now and for generations to come.

Emily Prince is ACF's New Communications and Engagement Manager

By Shayne Lopez • December 4, 2025
The Athens County Foundation is excited to welcome Emily Prince as our new Communications and Engagement Manager. With a background rooted in arts leadership, nonprofit service, and collaborative storytelling, Emily brings a dynamic and deeply community-centered approach to her new role. Emily’s professional journey has included roles such as Operations Director at Stuart’s Opera House, Training and Activation Director for Air Collaborative, and Program Specialist at Arts West. She has also served as Education and Development Director at Stuart’s Opera House, contributing to the growth and sustainability of arts and cultural programming in the region. "I am over the moon and honored to be creating this new role at the Athens County Foundation,” Prince said. “After having been involved with the Foundation one way or another since I participated in the inaugural class of Leadership Athens County, it feels like coming home." Her earlier career began in New York where she worked as a producer, stage manager, actor, director, casting director, and dramaturge. These diverse roles helped shape her belief in the importance of story, creativity, and collaboration as tools for change. Since returning to Athens County in 2005, Emily has continued to lead with heart and vision—graduating from the inaugural Leadership Athens County class, co-chairing its alumni network, and serving on numerous boards, including the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education and the Nelsonville Rotary Club. Emily lives on a farm in Athens County with her husband and sons, where she enjoys crafting, writing, and supporting creative projects that enrich local life. “Emily brings more than communications experience; she brings a way of working that reflects our values of courage, inclusion, trust, collaboration, and hope,” said Kerry Pigman, Executive Director. “Her approach will help deepen relationships, build stronger community ties, and engage more people in more places across Athens County.” From the stages of New York to the heart of Appalachia, Emily has used her voice to lift up others and create spaces where ideas and people thrive. She brings a deep belief in the power of connection, and we’re excited for her to help us engage more people in more places across Athens County. Through storytelling, creative outreach, and authentic collaboration, Emily will help share the incredible voices of our region and strengthen the bonds that move us forward together. In her role at ACF, Emily will lead communications and outreach strategies that align with the Foundation’s mission to build on the strengths of our community, advancing participation and collaboration to address longstanding challenges and pursue extraordinary opportunities. We’re honored to have Emily join the ACF team and look forward to the impact she will make through her storytelling, engagement, and leadership.

Athens Armory opens as new home to Athens County Foundation and BlueDot Coworking

By Mary Reed • October 2, 2025
September 30 open house draws stakeholders and community members alike.
Map of the U.S. with blue dots representing 2025 Civic Hub Grantee locations, sponsored by the Trust for Civic Life.

Athens County Foundation Recognized as One of 26 Civic Hubs Nationwide

September 26, 2025
Big Announcement: Athens County Foundation Receives National Recognition