Athens-Clarke County Prepares for Future Growth
As Athens-Clarke County looks to the future, Mayor Kelly Girtz highlighted the area’s upcoming changes in his 2026 State of the Community Address delivered on Monday night. The address focused on anticipated population growth and its implications for housing and infrastructure.
Mayor Girtz addressed the pressing need for increased housing, particularly affordable options, to accommodate the influx of new residents. He noted, “There’s an array of local work underway to pursue that. Over the next two years, Athens will see more than 600 new affordable units.” In addition, the Athens Housing Authority is collaborating on three new projects that leverage federal and state low-income housing tax credits.
Moving forward, county planning will concentrate on enhancing development density along commercial corridors. Girtz also celebrated the county’s progress in education, with high school graduation rates climbing from 50% to 80% since 2000.
This address marks one of Mayor Girtz’s final public engagements as his second term concludes this year, with his successor set to be chosen in May.
