Economic Development Is Built on Relationships
Economic development rarely happens in a single moment. Long before a company announces a new facility or expansion, conversations are already taking place between local leaders, state project managers, utility providers, and economic development professionals across Georgia.
When companies begin evaluating locations, they often work first with the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Project managers guide them through site options, infrastructure considerations, workforce data, and available programs. Utility partners such as Georgia Power and Georgia Electric Membership Corporation provide insight into capacity and long-term service planning. Statewide organizations connect local communities into a broader recruitment strategy.
For Macon-Bibb County to remain competitive, those partners must clearly understand what the community offers and where it is headed.
Throughout February 2026, the MBCIA engaged state-level partners under the Gold Dome and across Georgia. The focus was practical: ensuring Macon’s assets, infrastructure investments, and long-term site plans remain part of site selection conversations.
Those relationships, strengthened consistently over time, remain foundational to Macon’s economic development strategy.
Hosting State Project Managers at the 2026 Appreciation Luncheon
On February 17, the MBCIA hosted its annual Appreciation Luncheon for state project managers at the Georgia Experience Center in Atlanta.
Attendees included representatives from:
- Georgia Department of Economic Development
- Georgia Power
- Electric Cities of Georgia
- Georgia Electric Membership Corporation
- Georgia Economic Developers Association
These are the professionals who guide companies as they evaluate Georgia communities for expansion or relocation. When a company first considers the state, these partners are often the ones providing data, answering questions, and narrowing site options.
Providing clear, current information about Macon-Bibb County is a critical part of the work.
Reinforcing Credibility with Real Results
During the luncheon, Executive Director Stephen Adams presented an updated overview of Macon-Bibb County’s economic profile and available industrial assets.
That overview included:
- Over $3 billion in new private investment since 2017
- 6,790 new jobs created
- 1,040 jobs retained
- More than 78,000 workers support Bibb County’s economy
- A regional population of 1.3 million within a 60-minute drive
For state partners, these figures translate Macon’s growth into measurable terms. For residents, they reflect employers expanding and jobs being created locally.
The presentation also noted that the MBCIA was reaccredited in 2025 as one of only 85 Accredited Economic Development Organizations (AEDO) in North America through the International Economic Development Council. That designation reflects adherence to national professional standards and reinforces the MBCIA’s commitment to accountable economic development.
Showcasing Ready Sites and Long-Term Strategy
The MBCIA emphasized its Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) Select-certified sites at the following locations:
- Two tracts in Airport East Industrial Park
- One tract in Airport North Industrial Park
- Two tracts in I-75 Business Park
- 4555 Cavalier Drive
The Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development program is a state certification process that verifies a site has completed required due diligence, including environmental studies, utility planning, and infrastructure assessments. “Select” status signals that key groundwork is in place, allowing projects to move more efficiently if a company chooses the site.
The discussion included Phase III of Ocmulgee East Industrial Park, a 780-acre expansion positioned along Interstate 16 with direct access to Interstate 75 and a competitive route to the Port of Savannah.
Environmental reviews are underway, and work preparation continues as the MBCIA pursues future GRAD certification. Infrastructure planning remains part of the site’s overall development strategy.
The 780-acre expansion is not framed as an immediate opportunity, but as a on-going investment in readiness. Preparation at this scale takes years. By sharing progress now, the MBCIA deepens state partners’ understanding of both what is available today and how Macon is planning for the decade ahead.
Macon Day at the Capitol
Just days after the Project Manager Luncheon, the MBCIA joined business and community leaders for Macon Day at the Capitol, an annual initiative organized by the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce.
Held at the historic Georgia Freight Depot, the event brought together state agency leadership, policy officials, and members of Georgia’s business community for a full day of discussion focused on the issues shaping the state’s economic landscape.
The program featured leaders whose work directly impacts local communities, including:
- Ian Caraway, Director of Policy and External Affairs, Governor’s Office
- Sydne Smith, Chief Operating Officer, Georgia Department of Economic Development
- Commissioner Christopher Nunn, Georgia Department of Community Affairs
- Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes, Georgia Department of Labor
- Commissioner Russell McMurry, Georgia Department of Transportation
- Will Bentley, President, Georgia Agribusiness Council
Topics included statewide economic development strategy, workforce initiatives, transportation infrastructure, housing, and agriculture.
For existing industry and regional employers, that level of access matters. The policies discussed in these settings influence site readiness, labor availability, infrastructure planning, and long-term business competitiveness across Georgia.
Why Legislative Engagement Matters
Macon Day goes beyond networking. It creates space for Macon’s leaders to sit down with state officials and advocate for the policies and support our community needs to grow.
By attending alongside members of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce and other local partners, the MBCIA helps deliver a clear, consistent message about Macon-Bibb County’s priorities. That includes topics like roads and transportation, workforce training, housing, and support for local employers.
When state leaders understand these needs, they are better able to make decisions that support communities like Macon. Participating in Macon Day helps ensure that our local businesses and residents are part of those conversations.
Engaging Georgia’s Economic Development Community
On February 11, Executive Director Stephen Adams participated in the Georgia Economic Developers Association Day at the Capitol. As a board member of the association, Adams joined economic development professionals from across the state during an active legislative session.
The Georgia Economic Developers Association serves as a resource for networking, professional development, and public policy engagement for Georgia’s economic development community. Its annual Day at the Capitol provides an opportunity to engage lawmakers on issues that directly influence local communities.
During this year’s legislative session, economic development professionals across Georgia are closely monitoring discussions related to:
- Workforce development initiatives
- Infrastructure investment and transportation funding
- Industrial site readiness and development incentives
- Rural economic development tools
- Tax policy affecting business recruitment
While individual communities may focus on local priorities, many of the policies shaping economic development are set at the state level. Participation ensures Macon-Bibb County remains informed as statewide strategies evolve.
Board-level involvement also allows the MBCIA to contribute a local perspective to statewide conversations, reinforcing that Macon’s experience and priorities are part of Georgia’s larger economic development framework.
What This Means for the Future of Macon Economic Development
As 2026 begins, the MBCIA remains actively engaged across Georgia’s economic development network.
Conversations with state project managers help keep Macon-Bibb County in competitive site searches. Ongoing dialogue with legislators supports alignment on infrastructure and workforce priorities. Participation in Georgia’s economic development community keeps the MBCIA informed as policy and recruitment strategies evolve.
At the same time, long-term planning efforts such as the 780-acre Phase III expansion of Ocmulgee East Industrial Park reflect a measured approach to future growth. Preparation at that scale takes time, and keeping state partners informed ensures Macon’s long-term capacity remains visible.
For local employers, partners, and Maconites, this work reflects the MBCIA’s clear commitment: staying plugged in, staying informed, and advocating thoughtfully for Macon’s future. The conversations may take place across the state, but the focus remains here at home.
