The (Macon) Telegraph week in review
Jones County math teacher named GA Teacher of the Year
Charm Mapp, an eighth-grade math teacher at Clifton Ridge Middle School in Jones County, has been named the 2027 Georgia Teacher of the Year. Mapp, who has spent her entire 23-year career at Clifton Ridge Middle, described the honor as both astonishing and bittersweet, saying she was “shocked” when her name was announced. As Teacher of the Year, she will take a one-year sabbatical to serve as a full-time ambassador for Georgia public education. Mapp’s teaching approach, which she calls “number talks,” uses discussion-based activities to help students see math as a real-world conversation rather than a race for the right answer. Mapp will also compete for the 2027 National Teacher of the Year.
Reported by Myracle Lewis, published June 2
Dutch Bros Coffee to open second Middle GA location
Dutch Bros Coffee is set to open its second Middle Georgia location this summer, the company announced. Besides coffee, the menu also has smoothies, lemonade, iced tea, a chai latte and sparkling sodas. Alongside its drinks menu, customers will be able to purchase snacks including chocolate chip, lemon poppyseed, and orange cranberry muffin tops, as well as granola bars. The chain says customers can expect upbeat music, energetic baristas, and outstanding speed, quality, and service at the new spot. Dutch Bros Coffee, headquartered in Oregon, has more than 1,000 locations across 25 states.
Reported by Alba Rosa, published May 29
European manufacturer picks Macon for HQ site
ArcelorMittal Building Solutions, of Luxembourg, has selected Macon-Bibb County as the location for its North American headquarters, announcing a $57 million investment at the Airport South site. Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2026, with operations slated to start in the second half of 2027, subject to customary permitting and approvals. The project will initially bring 70 new jobs spanning production, logistics, management and sales roles. Governor Brian Kemp noted an additional $50 million investment in production that will add 70 more jobs over the next several years. ArcelorMittal serves construction markets worldwide, manufacturing building envelope systems for warehouses, factories, data centers and commercial buildings. The company cited Macon’s workforce, industrial base and strong local and state support as key factors in its decision.
Reported by Alba Rosa, published June 1
Bottoms pushes Medicaid expansion in Warner Robins stop
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms visited Warner Robins to advocate for Medicaid expansion in Georgia, joined by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Warner Robins Mayor LaRhonda Patrick, and Georgia House District 147 candidate Renita Duncan. The roundtable covered healthcare access in Middle Georgia, doctor retention, and the state’s six-week abortion ban, with Medicaid expansion as the central focus. Bottoms said her plan, if elected, is to prepare state agencies for expansion within her first 100 days. Bottoms won 56.2% of the Democratic primary vote statewide and 71.2% in Houston County on May 19, avoiding a runoff. She will face either former Lt. Gov. Burt Jones or healthcare billionaire Rick Jackson in November, with their runoff set for June 16.
Reported by Katharine Tucker, published May 29
Unified Legacy to bring 500 jobs to Macon
A Georgia-based metal fabrication and manufacturing company is set to make a major investment in Macon-Bibb County. Unified Legacy will invest $125 million in a new manufacturing facility on Barnes Ferry Road, just off Hawkinsville Road. The project will bring at least 500 new jobs spanning skilled trades, engineering, and support roles. The company manufactures products and components for the defense, aerospace, data center, and industrial markets. Its existing facility, United Defense, has operated in Byron since 2022. CEO Eric Williams said the expansion reflects confidence in the region’s workforce and will support larger, more complex projects as demand grows in Middle Georgia. Mayor Lester Miller welcomed the news, noting that economic and workforce development remain top community priorities.
Reported by Myracle Lewis, published May 28
Georgia PSC approves disputed fuel deal
The Georgia Public Service Commission voted 3-2 along party lines to approve a disputed fuel cost agreement with Georgia Power, which the utility says will lower rates for customers as summer begins. Consumer and environmental groups acknowledged the rate reduction but argued the deal leaves broader accountability questions unresolved, particularly regarding data centers. Critics contend data centers are driving up fuel costs for all ratepayers without contributing to the rising expenses they cause. The commission agreed to open a separate investigation into how fuel costs are allocated between large industrial customers and residential and small business ratepayers. Environmental advocates also argued Georgia Power should bear some financial risk when gas prices spike, rather than passing all costs to customers.
Reported by Margaret Walker, published May 28
This story was originally published June 4, 2026 at 3:58 PM with the headline "The (Macon) Telegraph week in review."