Athens Reporter

Athens-Clarke County has been designated as a gold level BioReady® Community by the state’s leading life sciences membership organization, Georgia Bio. The designation makes Athens-Clarke County the first county in Georgia to receive this certification. The honor was presented to the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government on March 28, 2024.

Georgia Bio, in partnership with MassBio, a global life sciences and healthcare organization, launched the BioReady® Community program in Georgia. The program aims to help local communities connect with the life sciences industry by assessing a municipality's readiness to host biotechnology facilities based on zoning practices and infrastructure capacity.

Mayor Kelly Girtz expressed his excitement about the designation, stating, "Given our recent efforts with private and public partners alike, and our firm belief that life science will remain a cornerstone of our local economy, we are delighted at this designation."

Maria Thacker-Goethe, President and CEO of Georgia Bio, highlighted the growth of the life sciences sector in Georgia and commended Athens-Clarke County's efforts, saying, "The life sciences sector in Georgia continues to grow at a rapid pace, which means the need for BioReady® sites is continually increasing, and I am proud of the work that Athens-Clarke County has put in to get here."

The BioReady® rating system categorizes communities into three tiers - Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Through these ratings, Georgia Bio aims to provide municipalities with a platform to attract biotechnology companies and developers by showcasing their readiness to host such facilities.

The recent designation of Athens-Clarke County as a gold level BioReady® Community comes at an opportune time as Meissner Corp. announced plans to build a $250 million campus in the county. The BioReady program allows municipalities like Athens-Clarke County to showcase biotech-zoned science parks, streamline permitting, build infrastructure, and identify biotech-friendly sites effectively.

Georgia Bio, as the state's largest life sciences advocacy and business leadership organization, works towards improving access to innovative technologies and fostering the growth of Georgia's life sciences economy.

For more information on Georgia Bio's BioReady Communities, visit their website at www.gabio.org. The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) Economic Development Department – Invest Athens serves as the primary contact for industries interested in developing businesses in the county. More information is available at investathensga.com.