Reichert warns that not investing in future could stall Macon's momentum
Optimism about Macon-Bibb County is high, although challenges remain for the city to reach its true potential, Mayor Robert Reichert said during his annual State of the Community address Thursday.
Reichert laid out recent developments throughout Macon, a city he said should remain as Middle Georgia's hub. His remarks were made to about 300 business, education and political leaders attending the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Wilson Convention Center.
The biggest impediment to Macon's progress, the mayor said, is an unwillingness to address the city's weaknesses and not continuing the collaborations that have improved the city.
"Our threats are real," he said. "If we are timid, selfish and refuse to invest in our future, if we lack confidence, if we don't work regionally and if we don't do what we need to do, we can lose the momentum that we have built up and is moving us in the right direction at an ever-increasing speed. Losing our momentum, in my opinion, is our biggest threat."
Some areas that Macon-Bibb still needs to improve are crime rates, education levels and systemic poverty. But despite those weaknesses, the city remains a place with a bright future, Reichert said.
"A series of significant development has contributed to this attitude and sense of excitement and optimism," he said, crediting numerous agencies, Macon-Bibb officials and various authorities.
He said the collective vision of organizations such as NewTown Macon, the Peyton Anderson Foundation, Mercer University and the Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority has been instrumental in the development of Macon's urban core. There's been a dramatic increase in the number of housing options in downtown, and plans are underway to create an east Macon arts village and development.
He also cited various construction projects around Mercer.
"It is impossible to overstate the impact that Mercer and President (Bill) Underwood has had on redevelopment," Reichert said.
A video shown during Thursday's luncheon outlined the progress over the past year: millions of dollars used to improve recreation centers and parks, Boeing's plans to bring 200 jobs to Macon and work that continues on the Second Street Corridor project connecting downtown with Mercer.
The county also continues to be financially prudent and has capitalized on the January 2014 consolidation of Macon and Bibb County. For instance, this fiscal year's budget of $145 million is about $20 million lower than it was during the first year of consolidation.
The fiscal 2016 budget is about 18 percent lower than combined last budgets of the city and county before consolidation, Reichert said.
"We have a community that is more diverse but is more united than ever before," he said.
Also, the mayor said, the county's industrial and water authorities continue to create business partners, develop industrial sites to attract new companies and help existing businesses expand.
The collaboration in Macon also is evident with the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority teaming up with the Mercer Innovation Center to create entrepreneurship opportunities.
"They know that having today's bright and young workforce is essential," Reichert said.
A regional approach to development also is key to Macon and the region, he said.
Middle Georgia benefits from the continued success at places like Robins Air Force Base, which an upcoming report is expected to announce has a $2.5 billion economic impact to the region, said Robert McMahon, vice chairman of regional and government partnerships for the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce.
"(Robins serves) as an economic engine for all of Middle Georgia," he said.
Reichert told those in Thursday's crowd that they also can play a role in Macon's success.
"Let's make Macon-Bibb County the best city and community it can be," he said.
This story was originally published February 4, 2016 at 9:45 PM with the headline "Reichert warns that not investing in future could stall Macon's momentum ."