On Thursday, April 21, Mayor Lester Miller gave his annual State of the Community address at a luncheon hosted by the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce at Historic Luther Williams Field. Throughout his speech, the Mayor shared stories from the past year of how the work of the city and partners have been received in the community.   

“[The community] is thankful we are pulling together as Team Macon-Bibb. It is thankful we are more and more working toward common goals,” the Mayor told the crowd of nearly 500 people. “It is thankful we are making plans for this year and next year and the year after.”   

Following a feature video highlighting the work of the past year and the voices of several leaders who “stepped up to the plate” – a theme of the day – the Mayor took time to thank the people, organizations, and agencies in the audience who played a role on Team Macon-Bibb. That included consolidated government employees, the Chamber, Industrial Authority, United Way, Sheriff’s Office, Bibb County School District, and others. 

“Last year, I asked you to join Team Macon-Bibb and many of you stepped up to the plate,” he said. “It was amazing to see so many people willing to help, to move our community forward together. You have truly stepped up to plate and run hard around the bases, knowing our community can’t wait.” 

 Looking ahead to the next year, the Mayor let people know the successful initiatives begun already will continue and grow, and people can expect to see more work begin, including: 

• programs getting Macon Violence Prevention grant funds beginning their work,
• the airport runway extension construction,
• the amphitheater and indoor pickleball courts at the Macon Mall, and
• Code Enforcement and partners focusing improving people’s living conditions in apartment complexes.

Throughout it all, the Mayor reiterated that all of the work behind and ahead of us can only be accomplished by working together, as Team Macon-Bibb. He let them know the road wouldn’t be easy challenges, but he promised we would celebrate all the successes and overcome all the challenges together. 

“This is our World Series. This is that moment where the world is watching us step to the plate time and time again,” the Mayor said in his closing. “But we are Team Macon-Bibb. And when the country and world’s eyes were upon us…we stepped up to the plate. We showed up. And we showed out.”