Property Management Update from Project Manager, Gary Wilson
When you work in property management for an industrial authority, you are always thinking about the next prospect. That means keeping every site ready to show, not just on paper but in person. I help oversee roughly 2,500 acres across Macon-Bibb’s industrial parks, and every acre tells a different story. Some tracts are already development-ready, others need clearing or grading, and some just need the right touch to catch a prospect’s eye.
From removing old foundations to improving visibility from the interstate, each project is part of the same goal: making sure our properties are ready for the moment the right company comes along. Below is a look at a few of the sites we are working on right now, and what it takes to prepare them for the future.
Ocmulgee East – Tract K: Preparing for Interstate Visibility
Ocmulgee East Industrial Park is one of Macon-Bibb’s most visible properties from the interstate, and Tract K is a prime example of our readiness strategy. The tract covers 53 acres, with 40 acres currently usable. Our next step is clearing the remaining 14 acres and removing the foundations of old army barracks that remain from the site’s past use.
These improvements will make the property more marketable and visually appealing from the interstate, which is a major factor for many prospects. Visibility sends a clear message that the property is well-maintained and ready for development.
7151 Industrial Highway: Improving Market Appeal and Addressing Drainage
At 7151 Industrial Highway, we manage a 57-acre parcel with strong potential for future development. To make the property more attractive to prospective buyers, we are preparing to timber the site. This work will open up the land visually and allow prospects to clearly see the layout, topography, and possible building locations.
In addition to timbering, we are making plans to address a storm drain ditch that becomes shallow and causes heavy rains to wash mud onto the highway. Being proactive with infrastructure improvements helps ensure the property will be ready to market without delays when the right opportunity comes along.
Airport North: Opening Up a GRAD-Certified Site
Airport North is a 123-acre Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD)-certified property, which means it has already gone through the rigorous preparation process to reduce development timelines for future tenants. Even with that certification, we saw an opportunity to improve the property’s visibility and usability.
We recently mulched about 10 acres of pine scrub to give prospects a better view of the site’s topography. This kind of work allows potential buyers to quickly assess how their buildings, roads, and utilities could fit on the land, making decision-making easier.
Airport South – Tract B: Improving Site Presentation for Active Prospects
At Airport South, Tract B is drawing strong interest from potential tenants. To make the property easier to visualize and more appealing during site visits, we recently brush cut 9 acres. This clearing helps prospects better understand the land’s layout and potential building footprint, which is an important factor when evaluating industrial sites.
Traffic Light Installation at Sardis Church and Frank Amerson
Improving access to our industrial parks is just as important as preparing the land itself. The MBCIA is funding the installation of a new traffic light at the intersection of Sardis Church Road and Frank Amerson Parkway. This project will help alleviate congestion and improve safety at what has been a challenging intersection for both commuters and industrial traffic.
Better access means smoother transportation for current tenants and makes the surrounding properties more appealing to future prospects.
I-75 Visibility Project: Clearing for Maximum Exposure
Visibility is a powerful tool in attracting new industrial prospects. Along a key stretch of I-75, the MBCIA has completely removed trees and brush that previously blocked the view of available property. This work ensures that thousands of daily commuters and freight drivers can clearly see the site, increasing its exposure to potential investors and site selectors traveling through the region.
Why Property Management Matters for Economic Development
Every cleared acre, every removed structure, and every maintained road is an investment in Macon-Bibb County’s economic future. When a site selector calls, we want to be ready to give them a tour that leaves no doubt the property can meet their needs. That readiness is what sets successful industrial authorities apart and it is one of the reasons the MBCIA has consistently attracted and retained major employers.
By staying proactive, we reduce the time it takes for a company to go from interest to investment. And by maintaining and improving our properties year-round, we ensure that Macon-Bibb remains competitive with industrial parks across Georgia and the Southeast.
Looking Ahead
The work you see here is part of a much larger strategy. Every improvement builds on the next, preparing our parks for new tenants and setting the stage for future growth. In the coming months, we will share news about a major site acquisition that will add even more opportunity to our industrial property portfolio.
Until then, our property management team will keep doing what we do best — making sure that when the right prospect comes along, the land they see is ready to become their next big investment.
