Celebrating a Year of Success and a Look Toward What’s Next
The Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority (MBCIA) welcomed partners, local manufacturers, and community leaders to The Overlook on First for its annual Holiday Mixer on December 17. The gathering provided a moment for community partners to reflect on shared progress from the past year and look ahead to the work that continues into 2026.
Looking toward 2026 also means reflecting on the initiatives built throughout 2025. One example was the Industry Partners Luncheon MBCIA hosted at the Technology and Innovation Academy, a new CTAE-focused facility designed to support high-tech learning and workforce readiness. The luncheon highlighted how programs in robotics, engineering, EV technology, and other emerging fields connect directly to Macon-Bibb’s long-term industry needs — a theme that continues to guide the work of the MBCIA and its partners.
Recognizing Community Investment Through the PILOT Program
Part of the Holiday Mixer each year includes presenting the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) checks, a reflection of the MBCIA’s ongoing commitment to community reinvestment. The funding through the PILOT program encourages business growth while supporting the public resources that help Macon-Bibb thrive. The funds presented through this program come directly from industries that participate in PILOT as part of their investment and job-creation agreements when they first locate or expand in Macon-Bibb.
As part of the MBCIA Holiday Mixer, the MBCIA presented a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) check to Macon-Bibb County, reflecting the continued reinvestment local industries make in the community through growth and job creation.
The MBCIA also presented a PILOT check to the Bibb County Board of Education, highlighting the role industry investment plays in supporting public education and long-term workforce development across Macon-Bibb.
PILOT funds support the broader capacity of Macon-Bibb County and the school district to strengthen areas such as public education, infrastructure improvements, and long-term workforce development. These investments help create the environment that allows residents, businesses, and future talent to succeed.
While the specific uses of PILOT funds are determined by local governing bodies, these contributions strengthen the community’s ability to support initiatives that enhance economic development and educational opportunity — efforts reflected in programs like the emerging Advanced Manufacturing Pathway.
2025 PILOT Industry Survey
In a recent polling of our local companies that participate in the PILOT Program, workforce needs were identified as the number one challenge limiting growth. All respondents reported active hiring, with the hardest-to-fill roles centered around maintenance, electrical, and other skilled technical positions. These findings highlight the importance of developing stronger, more accessible talent pipelines in Macon-Bibb. These are the same companies whose participation in PILOT reflects ongoing investment and long-term commitment to the community.
Introducing the Advanced Manufacturing Pathway
The Advanced Manufacturing Pathway Program (AMPPed) represents the next step in Macon-Bibb’s commitment to preparing students for high-demand, technology-driven careers. The program is being developed in partnership with the Bibb County School District, W.S. Hutchings College & Career Academy, the Technology and Innovation Academy, and the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce. While program details continue to be finalized, the pathway is designed to teach students skills connected to automation, robotics, mechatronics, quality and safety fundamentals, troubleshooting, and logistics technologies.
Local manufacturers have played an important role in shaping the pathway and continue to offer guidance as the program develops. Their input has helped identify the technical skills, equipment familiarity, safety practices, and problem-solving abilities needed in today’s production and logistics environments. The MBCIA invites additional manufacturers to join these conversations as the pathway continues to take shape.
What the Pathway Is
The Advanced Manufacturing Pathway will be hosted at the Technology and Innovation Academy, a CTAE-focused facility created through a shared vision for preparing Macon-Bibb’s future workforce. The academy itself reflects the leadership of the Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority and Mayor Lester Miller’s commitment to transforming the Butler Building into a space where education, industry, and opportunity come together.
The Technology and Innovation Academy, made possible through the leadership of the Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority and Mayor Lester Miller’s vision for transforming the Butler Building, now serves as a hub for hands-on, future-focused learning and workforce development.
That same spirit of collaboration is shaping the pathway. Education partners, industry leaders, workforce advocates, and community organizations have worked together to design a program that blends classroom instruction with hands-on, real-world learning. The Bibb County School District and W.S. Hutchings College and Career Academy are guiding curriculum and instruction, while the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce and local employers have helped connect industry needs to workforce preparation.
Together, these efforts are creating a pathway grounded in modern manufacturing environments and supported by the Technology and Innovation Academy’s broader focus on robotics, engineering, cybersecurity, and electric vehicle technology. The result is a growing ecosystem of career pathways built through partnership, shared leadership, and a long-term commitment to Macon-Bibb’s workforce.
”This new pathway program provides students with the opportunity to advance directly into our workforce in Macon-Bibb County. We partnered with local manufacturing industries to build the curriculum to help students gain the skills and knowledge they will need.
Dr. Cassandra WashingtonExecutive Director of Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education and CEO of Hutchings College and Career Academy
Why It Matters for Students and Industry
This focus comes at a critical time. Georgia’s 2025 High-Demand Careers List includes several roles tied to advanced manufacturing, including industrial machinery mechanics, industrial maintenance technicians, robotics and automation technicians, CNC tool programmers, inspectors and quality technicians, and logistics and distribution roles. These careers require technical skill, problem-solving, and comfort with digital tools, which are the very areas this pathway is designed to strengthen.
For students, the pathway offers multiple opportunities after high school. Graduates may be ready to enter the workforce, pursue apprenticeships, continue into technical college programs, or build connections with local employers through classroom experiences and exposure to real workplace environments. It provides a meaningful option for students who want a well-paying career without taking on college debt.
Community, education, and industry partners gathered to participate in a ceremonial signing of a Statement of Collaboration, affirming shared support for developing the Advanced Manufacturing Pathway and strengthening Macon-Bibb’s future workforce.
A Collaborative Commitment
During the event, partners participated in a ceremonial signing of a Statement of Collaboration, affirming their shared support for developing and launching the Advanced Manufacturing Pathway Program (AMPPed). This moment reflected the unified effort among education, industry, and workforce partners to create new opportunities for students and strengthen Macon-Bibb’s long-term talent pipeline. The pathway is expected to welcome its first cohort in the 2026–2027 school year, and partners will continue refining curriculum, shaping hands-on learning experiences, and engaging local employers as the program takes shape.
”This initiative represents the kind of forward-thinking partnership that strengthens our community by connecting education, industry, and opportunity. We’re not just preparing students for jobs; we’re helping build the future workforce that will drive Macon-Bibb’s continued growth.
Robby FountainChairman of the MBCIA Board
Looking Ahead to 2026
As Macon-Bibb moves into 2026, the work highlighted at the Holiday Mixer reflects the priorities that will continue guiding the MBCIA: strong relationships with partners, continued forward thinking, and a clear focus on preparing the community’s workforce for the future.
The initiatives launched and strengthened this year — from community reinvestment through the PILOT Program to the development of the Advanced Manufacturing Pathway — demonstrate how Macon-Bibb is working together to create opportunities for residents and support the needs of local employers.
As the pathway continues to take shape in the months ahead, the MBCIA will remain focused on supporting the partnerships that make this work possible. This includes ongoing engagement with manufacturers, the school district, and community organizations that play a role in helping students discover meaningful careers close to home.
Together, these efforts reflect a shared vision for Macon-Bibb: a community where industry can grow, students can thrive, and partners work side by side to build a strong and resilient future.
