A New Workforce Chapter Begins for Macon-Bibb as Community Celebrates Year-End Progress
At this year’s Holiday Mixer, the MBCIA celebrated community progress and introduced the Advanced Manufacturing Pathway — a new opportunity designed to prepare students for high-demand careers and strengthen Macon-Bibb’s workforce future.
A Year Worth Celebrating: 2025 Awards Highlight Macon-Bibb’s Economic Momentum
See why 2025 was another banner year for Macon-Bibb. From international accreditation to local honors, the wins stacked up. Click through for the list of awards recognizing the projects, people, and partnerships behind the headlines.
Prospect Recap
Existing Industry Highlight
YKK AP was recently named the 2025 Industry of the Year, a recognition of their long-standing presence in Macon-Bibb and their continued investment in our community’s future. From their $125 million expansion and new residential manufacturing facility to their commitment to safety, workforce development, and community partnerships, YKK AP embodies the strength of the Japan–Macon connection and the momentum shaping our region.
Celebrating Lillie Battle’s Retirement
MBCIA celebrates Lillie Battle, Executive Assistant & HR Coordinator, as she retires at the end of the year after years of dedicated service to our team and community. Lillie has been a steady, trusted presence within the organization—supporting leadership, strengthening operations, and bringing warmth and professionalism to every interaction. We are deeply grateful for her commitment to MBCIA and wish her all the joy and relaxation she deserves in this next chapter.
Congratulations, Lillie, and thank you for everything!
Organizational Update
As we continue advancing MBCIA’s mission to attract, retain, and grow jobs and investment in Macon-Bibb County, we’re pleased to share an important update from this year’s annual audit. MBCIA once again received an unmodified opinion, reaffirming the strength, transparency, and accountability of our financial practices.
We also want to recognize Operations and Finance Director Baleigh Fleming for her leadership throughout the audit process. Her commitment supports the solid foundation that allows us to serve our industries, strengthen our community, and carry out our mission with confidence.
Other Exciting News
Momentum continues to build across Macon-Bibb as our partners, industries, and community come together to celebrate progress and prepare for an impactful year ahead. Here are a few highlights from this month:
- Downtown shines with the Macon Christmas Light Extravaganza. More than one million lights are illuminating 5.5 blocks of downtown through January 4, drawing families, visitors, and talent into the heart of the city and reinforcing the vibrancy that supports industry attraction.
- Mayor Miller’s 2025 Sneaker Ball brought the community together. This year’s sold-out Sneaker Ball celebrated unity, opportunity, and youth-focused initiatives—spotlighting the partnerships that help Macon-Bibb thrive.
- MBCIA’s 2024 Annual Report microsite is now live. Rooted and Growing showcases a year of industry expansion, community collaboration, and over $3 billion in investment since 2017. Explore impact stories, milestones, and the vision ahead at annualreport.mbcia.com.
- MBCIA & First Quality received GEDA’s 2025 Large Community Deal of the Year Award. First Quality’s $418 million expansion and 600 new jobs highlight the power of partnership and the long-term commitment fueling growth in Macon-Bibb.
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