“It’s a great day…a new day…thanks to each of you,” Mayor Lester Miller told more than 700 people gathered at the Macon City Auditorium for the annual State of the Community, hosted by the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce. “Just like you can’t ignore the sunrise and the promise of a new day that it brings, you can’t ignore the progress we’re all making and the impact it will have on our future. “

To watch the the video highlighting the previous year, click here.

The State of the Community is a chance for the Mayor and Chamber and Mayor to look back on the work of the previous year and set the stage for coming projects and improvements. This year, the Mayor focused on making sure the community realizes that it’s our people that make us strong, are the ones making the projects (both big and small) successful, and are creating a new day of opportunity and success for all people.

“You can’t ignore the people of our community. The ones who live here, who call this place home, who raise their families here, who go to events here, who patronize our businesses and restaurants, who help and support others in need,” he said. These are “the people who understand our history. Who know our strength and potential. Who understand our challenges and know the solutions to overcome them. Who know each of us and our shared story, and how we are working together to take advantage of this new day.  

Mayor Miller pointed out the success of many projects that required people to work together as a team, including:

• advancing the chance to have Georgia’s first national park,
• the historic drop in homicide rate thanks to Macon Violence Prevention,
• the revitalization of the Macon Mall around government offices, Rhythm & Rally (the world’s largest indoor pickleball facility), and the already successful Atrium Health Amphitheater.
• three years and 700 demolitions of the Bliht Fight,
• increasing pay and budgets for public safety,
• building new affordable housing,
• major industrial developments,
• the thousands of people served by the Brookdale Resource Center and Macon Mental Health Matters, and,
• significant increase in tourism.

Looking ahead, he announced the beginning of a new facility at the airport, pay raises for all government employees, new developments in East Macon, a full rollout of the Paving the Way program to repair all roads, an increase in sports tourism, and more.

“It’s a new day in Macon because we are betting on US. We are investing in ourselves and our homes. And we are all in,” he announced. “It’s a new day in Macon-Bibb because we’re looking inward…into ourselves and into the people around us, to the people who live here…for solutions to our challenges and to help keep us on the best path forward.”

He thanked the gathered group and public because without their input and support, none of the successes the past year or three years would’ve been possible. The thanked them for caring for their home and being willing to do whatever it takes to make people’s dreams a reality and the impossible, possible.

“These are our lives…our future…and the future for so many children. We are investing in ourselves and each other because we live here. This is our home. We know what’s needed, and we’re strong enough to make it happen. 

To watch the the video highlighting the previous year, click here.

Small businesses are the backbone of our communities and the American economy, employing more than half of our Nation’s workers, enriching our Main Streets, making parts and products in America to fuel our supply chains, building our Nation’s infrastructure, and innovating and inventing the products of tomorrow. 

When we support small businesses, jobs are created, and local communities preserve their unique culture and enjoy new opportunities to build generational wealth. 

The Mission of the Office of Small Business Affairs is to develop and coordinate inclusive programs to promote the growth of small businesses, minority business enterprises, women business enterprises, and disadvantaged business enterprises. The Office supports the enhancement of the economic well-being of the county by providing resources that will improve the competitiveness of small businesses, minority business enterprises, women business enterprises, and disadvantaged business enterprises within the RFQ/RFP and bid process.

“We are so excited for these events as Macon-Bibb has been a leader when it comes to women-owned small businesses,” said Office of Small Business Affairs (OSBA) Director Charise Stephens. “OSBA hopes to grow the number of women owned businesses that are vendors with Macon-Bibb and programs like this, help us reach untapped participants.” 

This event is sponsored by our OSBA and SCORE Middle Georgia. The Women’s Pitch Contest is for women who want to start a new business, and is open to Macon-Bibb residents, or residents of other counties who are interested in opening a business in Macon- Bibb County.  Six finalists were selected to win the $1,000 cash prize as well as free services from various providers. Applications were due on April 14. 

“SCORE’s 10,000 volunteers across the US are committed to helping women start and grow small businesses,” said Matt McKenna “The SCORE Middle Georgia Chapter has assisted more than 1,000 women since our start in 2016, and are excited to partner with the Macon-Bibb Office of Small Business Affairs for the Women’s Pitch Contest and the 6th Annual Middle Georgia Women’s Entrepreneurial event.”  

Coaches were assigned to each finalist to help them prepare their 4-minute PowerPoint presentation. After they present, they will have a 5-minute Q&A session from the five judges.  

Following the Pitch Contest is a Networking Event that is open to all business owners. There is a $25 fee for those attending the Event. Registration is required before May 3. You can do so by emailing CStephens2@maconbibb.us.  

Schedule of Events 

Pitch Competition: 5:00 p.m.                

Networking Event Registration - 6:30 p.m. 

Food, beverage, and networking – 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. 

Pitch Contest Winner and Recognition - 7:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. 

Keynote Speaker & Q&A - 8:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. 

Event Ends - 9:00 p.m. 

Applications can be found here and are due by midnight on Monday, April 14; the cost to participate is $25. 

“SCORE’s 10,000 volunteers across the US are committed to helping women start and grow small businesses,” says Matt McKenna “The SCORE Middle Georgia Chapter has assisted more than 1,000 women since our start in 2016, and are excited to partner with the Macon-Bibb Office of Small Business Affairs for the Women’s Pitch Contest and the 6th Annual Middle Georgia Women’s Entrepreneurial event.” 

“Pitching competitions offer a unique platform where startups stand to gain early exposure and attention from potential investors and partners.  Macon-Bibb is becoming a leader in women owned businesses and we want to cultivate this growth with the help of our partner SCORE.  OSBA hopes to grow the number of women owned businesses that are vendors with Macon-Bibb and programs like this, help us reach untapped participants.  

As part of the application, the future business owners will answer questions in the following topics: Venture Description and Rationale; Your Marketplace; Your Competition; Marketing/Distribution; Operating Requirements; Financial Considerations; and About You. 

Proposals will be reviewed by a Review Committee and evaluated for clarity, completeness, uniqueness, and potential financial viability. The five highest scoring applications will be named finalists and invited to pitch their business ideas to our panel of judges on May 5, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. 

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, and the proposed business must be a new startup in Macon-Bibb that launches no later than January 1, 2024. Applications involving products or services that are, or will be, part of or associated with an existing business will not be accepted. 

About the Macon-Bibb Office of Small Business Affairs 

The mission of the department is to develop and coordinate inclusive programs to promote the growth of small businesses, minority business enterprises, women business enterprises and disadvantaged business enterprises. 

About SCORE 

SCORE is a national volunteer organization whose mission is to foster vibrant small business communities through free mentoring and low-cost education.  SCORE Middle Georgia’s Volunteers mentored over 1,500  individuals and educated over 1,800 participants since the Chapter’s founding in 2016.