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Athens looking to attract more tourists

A promotional video released this weeks looks to boost tourism and more by highlighting all the hidden gems of the city.

ATHENS, Ala. — With their diverse assets, Athens and Limestone County offer numerous outdoor and indoor recreational experiences for explorers and they are using that to attract tourism to the city.

A new promotional video released by the City of Athens and Limestone Commission highlights the recreational opportunities for those seeking adventures.

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Mayor Ronnie Marks shares how this video came together. "We had with RC&D grant, both the city and the county, and over the past year." 

John David Crow, with Innovative Media Pros, spent nearly a year capturing footage of trail users, children playing in parks, families taking kayak and canoe trips, golfing and other activities. He combined the footage into an 11-minute video, and is working on a few shorter segments for use on social media.It goes from the Sports Plex here in Athens all the way to the walking trails all over the county.

The Alabama Mountains, Rivers & Valleys Resource Conservation & Development Council approved a grant for the project in 2021. RC&D funded $4,000, and the City of Athens and Limestone County allocated $1,500, each.

This project isn't only to attract tourism, but new residents as well.

"I've run into a few different people who moved from California from North Carolina from Oregon to other places almost weekly to say we looked at all the activities regarding your job opportunities, we look at your education and we look at quality of life and what you have available from the rivers, the lakes the streams, the canoeing, all the kayaking, the walking and all those activities that's what attracts people to young people that says, 'Hey, come on in visitors where they were the best story out there'," says Crowe.

With an average of 4,000 people who utilize the spaces regularly, Marks thinks this video help shows the quality of life people are looking for.

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“They’re always 4 or 5 things that are high priorities of any city or county in my opinion and that he is public safety education discharge is quality life in this ties into the quality of life and actually is what attracts people to your cities and your towns when they’re looking."

If you're wondering just what the let city of Athens has to offer, Marks says, “We have an archery range that many people are not aware of. We have some more opportunities with our Sports Plex. We’re not only pick up basketball but the weight rooms, exercise rooms and walking trails that are all over the county. And Rails to Trails is also trying to tie it was singing river trail which will be a great opportunity for all of North Alabama".

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