It was known as Tionets during the Russian Empire's rule and was the administrative center of the Tianeti Uyezd of the Tiflis Governorate.

Several food processing enterprises, factories, as well poultry and meat producing farms were functioning in the district, providing employment opportunities for the local population (Georgian Soviet Encyclopedia 1979: 678–679).

There is a farmer's market, where most of the population purchases food, and several private grocery stores.

[citation needed] A small part of the population works at state institutions (so called “budget jobs”: schools, hospital, local self-governance, post-office, etc.).

Products and/or income from subsistence farming contribute to a significant share of the local economy.