Macon economic development group recognized for its work recruiting industry

The significance of drawing recognition from a major publication goes beyond what you've done in the past.

It can affect future impressions of your work.

The Macon Economic Development Commission was recently named one of the top four economic development agencies in the state by Southern Business & Development magazine.

Winners were selected by members of the Southern Economic Development Roundtable -- an invitation-only group of economic developers, educators, site selection consultants and CEOs. The magazine is considered the top economic development publication for recruitment efforts in 15 Southern states.

"The best thing is, the group of people who voted on this are the people we work with in project recruitment," said Pat Topping, the commission's senior vice president. "The big thing is they have some experience with us and it's been a good experience. ... It's just validation that we are doing a very professional job."

The Macon Economic Development Commission is a public-private partnership funded by the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce, Macon-Bibb County and the Macon Water Authority to act as the single point of contact for economic development projects. MEDC is the marketing arm of the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority.

Cliffard Whitby, chairman of the Industrial Authority, said Topping's role is invaluable.

"It is a really, really tremendous asset when you can have the confidence that the person that is our single point of contact is one who understands the dynamics -- has been there, done that -- and can anticipate the things that we need to do to put this community out there. ... It's more than a job to Pat. It's really a way of life."

CREATING, RETAINING JOBS

This year was a pretty good one for economic development in Macon-Bibb County, Topping said, especially as the economy continues to steady itself following the Great Recession.

Project activity was up by 30 percent the first part of the year compared to 2014, although it leveled out during the last quarter.

The focus of economic development this year, referred to as a three-legged stool, was retention, recruitment and small business. And the during the year the MEDC helped four companies "either expand here, stay here or locate here," Topping said.

The companies were The Boeing Co., First Quality Packaging Solutions, Chem-Aqua (formerly Anderson Chemical) and Courier Express. According to Topping:

Boeing first came to Macon more than 25 years ago, and the plant did military and commercial work when it was McDonnell Douglas. The facility was converted to military work only, but last year the company announced that its work on the C-17 airplane was nearing the end of its life cycle and it was curtailing production. It also would be ending its production on the A-10 aircraft and sending its Chinook helicopter work to another location.

"This plant would have been shuttered," he said.

Topping contacted Obie Jones, a former site leader at the Macon plant who had been promoted up the ranks at Boeing. Discussions began to try to find other work to bring to the Macon facility. Then Jones learned the company's plans regarding its 747-8 commercial airplane.

In September, Boeing announced plans to invest $82 million to convert the Macon facility from a military plant to a commercial plant -- the first time it has ever done that. The company will manufacture the fuselage panel assemblies for the 747-8 plane. It will save the plant here and create up to 200 jobs. Some current workers are expected to be hired for the new work.

"The one thing that impressed them was the workforce," Topping said. "It's been one of the most productive workforces in the Boeing company."

First Quality Baby Products announced in June that it had chosen Macon for its "flagship manufacturing facility," would invest more than $68 million during the next five years and create 115 new jobs. Under First Quality Packaging Solutions, it plans to manufacture plastic packaging products in a building the company moved out of about five years ago when it built its new facility here.

When Anderson Chemical was sold to Chem-Aqua, the company considered moving its Macon work to Texas, which would have meant the loss of at least 38 jobs. But Topping said he was able to line up some training the company needed and determined that the company would be eligible for state incentives because of the investment it made. The company specializes in providing customized water treatment programs for boiler, cooling and process water systems.

Courier Express was looking for a new location in Middle Georgia, "but we just wanted to keep them here in Bibb County," Topping said. "So we found buildings for them." The company has about 20 workers. The company provides courier, freight and warehousing services.

The four companies are investing about $210 million in the community and hiring about 370 people, Topping said.

During the past year, MEDC partnered with a number of organizations along with the chamber to assist small businesses, including the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center, the College Hill Alliance, NewTown Macon and Score.

"Last year we had a total of nine different events and reached about 150 small businesses," Topping said.

Ashley Brown, manager of existing business and industry with MEDC, "really ratcheted up" contacts with existing companies. Among the highlights:

The manufacturers appreciation luncheon drew 160 attendees. About 180 attended a logistics and distribution luncheon, and more than 180 were at the business and industry awards luncheon.

Brown had six meetings with more than 150 people at industrial park meetings. The meetings provide networking opportunities for attendees, help companies know who their neighbors are and encourage them to do business with each other and give valuable information to the MEDC about what the companies might need to remain and grow in Bibb County, Topping said.

Whitby said the focus on retaining existing business is always important.

"We're trying to present a more balanced approach, growing our community from within," he said. "The businesses that are here are those that we don't have to get -- they are here for a reason. We have to figure out how we can continue to assist them in growing and further developing. And that is part of our overall strategy in growing our community. It's a deliberate strategy."

The focus of the three-legged stool changes slightly for 2016, Topping said.

"It's going to be retention, recruitment and workforce development. And just in conversations with state project managers, '16 looks like it could start out to be a good year."

To contact writer Linda S. Morris, call 744-4223.