Small-Business Entrepreneur Group Holds First Meeting ATHENS, OH. (WOUB) - Business owners in Athens are joining forces.

A kick-off meeting was held today for the Athens Area Action Council.

It's a group of local entrepreneurs coming together to advocate the importance of a strong small-business community.

Secretary of State Ken Blackwell spoke to the group's members about health care costs, workers compensation and tax and spending problems.

"Small or medium sized businesses are at the heart of it all in the state of Ohio and so we have to make sure that fiscal and tax policies are such that we encourage economic growth and job creation," Blackwell said.

The action council is a part of the National Federation of Independent Business.

There are 14 other action councils in Ohio. © Copyright 2012, WOUB