Executive Director’s Report
It’s hard to believe that the year is ending, but it feels great to have a chance to reflect on a year of growth and achievement within Macon-Bibb County. We can’t end the year without recognizing some of the hard-working industries that contributed to our growth in 2024.
The MBCIA poses at its End of Year Celebration highlighting industry success and over $1B in private investment.
This year, the Macon-Bibb Industrial Authority (MBCIA) had 28 requests for information (RFIs) and 46 ongoing projects. Irving Tissue celebrated five years in Macon and announced an upcoming expansion, First Quality Baby Products announced an upcoming expansion, industrial parks were revamped with new signage, MBCIA Chairman Robby Fountain and I were added to Georgia Trend’s 500 Most Influential People list, Embraer recommitted to Macon by signing another 15-year lease, and YKK, USA celebrated its 50th anniversary in Macon-Bibb County. This year, Macon industries reinvested over $1 billion into the Macon-Bibb County community.
I was also able to attend the Georgia Economic Developer’s Association (GEDA) Awards Gala alongside leaders from economic development authorities across the state. Together, we recognized and celebrated the hard-earned work that makes Georgia the best place to do business.
While we celebrated many successes this year, the MBCIA recognizes one industry in particular for exceptional growth and reinvestment into the Macon-Bibb County community and economy.
Industry of the Year
Irving Tissue unveils a $600 million expansion project at its Macon, Georgia plant.
Irving Tissue celebrated five years in Macon-Bibb County this year. This milestone was celebrated during the company’s November 21 event. Afterward, Irving was presented the Industry of the Year Award as a surprise from MBCIA at the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Ceremony. Further, Irving shared its plans for an expansion within Macon.
Thank you, Irving, for your hard work and dedication!
Thank you to all of our community partners, stakeholders and supporters. 2024 has been a phenomenal year, and we look forward to doing more in 2025. ‘Til next year!
Existing Industry Manager’s Report
2024 was a year spent celebrating all the industries that make our community a great place to live and work.
MBCIA Board Member Dr. Cassandra Washington presents at Advanced Manufacturing Meeting.
I was able to attend the Advanced Manufacturing Meeting, where we worked to formulate an advisory board for the Advanced Manufacturing Pathway. I, alongside Executive Director Stephen Adams, will soon be in the process of selecting stakeholders. We anticipate having a board selected and in place ahead of our January meeting.
I, along with the rest of the MBCIA, am looking forward to wrapping up a great year and celebrating the holidays alongside our hard-working industries, community partners and stakeholders.
Here’s to a great year and many more to come!
Letter from the Project Manager
As the Macon Bibb County Industrial Authority (MBCIA) Project Manager, I perform weekly industrial park ride-throughs. During my most recent one, I couldn’t help but marvel at all the growth and success that Macon-Bibb County has seen in 2024. As the year comes to a close, it’s been great to look back on all the calls, meetings, site visits and behind-the-scenes work that went into both new and expanding industries that have a home in Macon. I’d like to highlight a few of these.
Within Ocmulgee East Industrial Park (OIEP), three new industries arrived in 2024: Agile Cold Storage, Fine Fettle and SAIA Trucking and Logistics. These companies each provide local contractors with work, create taxable assets for the county in building and equipment, and most importantly – created what will ultimately be upward of 300 new jobs. The MBCIA ensures that this first-class park is clean, well-maintained and recently created address signs for the new companies that joined this year. (These signs were a hit, by the way! We already have requests for more. If you’re an industry in OIEP, please let us know if you’d like new signage!)
Next was I-75 Business Park, where I reminisced on the 50 farming acres that now houses the campus of YKK AP. This amazing facility is reflective of the excellence exhibited in their products and processes. YKK AP brought in and retained 300 new jobs to our community this year.
YKK AP
Now, you’re probably waiting to hear more news on the new BrightFarms location, as we’ve been talking about it for quite a while. We’re excited to announce that they’ve begun hiring for their new location and expect to be operational in the first quarter of 2025. We’re honored that they want to make Macon their flagship location, with a viewing and educational area that is sure to be an amazing asset for our county.
Finally, I drove through Airport South Industrial Park. Just south of the airport, you’ll find major construction along Sardis Church Road. This is all part of First Quality Baby Products’ 200,000 square-foot expansion to their existing facility, which will ultimately increase production by 50 percent.
Great things are happening in Macon-Bibb County. The MBCIA is grateful to be in the state of Georgia, where doing business is a pleasure. After all, that’s why these industries want to be here. Our lower-than-average power costs, development & business support and the greater community are what keep companies here. Here’s to a year of growth. Merry Christmas to you!
Industry Spotlight
This month’s industry partnership feature focuses on the mutually beneficial relationship between Macon industries Embraer Aircraft Maintenance Services and Dean Baldwin Painting.
Customers typically benefit from both industries’ services, as Embraer’s mechanical repairs complement Dean Baldwin’s paint services. Combining the services allows for world-class service without the added expense of additional ferry flights, crew, fuel or landing fees.
Thank you to both Embraer and Dean Baldwin for serving Macon customers so well, and for retaining jobs in our region. Keep up the good work!
Community Partner Feature
MBCIA recognizes and celebrates the Middle Georgia Regional Commission (MGRC) for its growth throughout 2024. Without MGRC, the Macon community wouldn’t be the same! MGRC oversees Area Agency on Aging (AAA), economic development, planning & public administration, technology services and transportation & transit.
This year, MGRC underwent a major rebranding and moved into its new facilities within the Macon Mall. This fresh, new look and new space is well deserved by all of those who put in hard work to make Macon-Bibb County the place that it is.
The MBCIA endorses MGRC for each of their areas of expertise and service. Give them a call at (478) 751-6160 if you’re interested in their services.
Thank you, MGRC for all you do, and here’s to a year of growth!
Prospect Activity
We are pleased to highlight the current Industrial Prospect activity. This activity demonstrates the MBCIA’s continuous commitment to creating a successful business environment in Macon-Bibb County.
Annual Report
The year’s successes don’t end there. Click here to check out some of the other amazing achievements within Macon-Bibb County.
Audit
2024 was a banner year for the MBCIA, as the year held a series of milestone achievements and successes. Now, we’re here to share another milestone. We were once again awarded an “unmodified opinion” in our annual audit – a reflection of our robust financial management and the transparency and accountability that defines our organization. We commend our Operations and Finance Director, Baleigh Fleming, for her dedication to excellence and tireless efforts in navigating the audit process.
