Mayor credits people of Macon-Bibb
for moving community forward together

“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.