Downtown block will be renamed for late NewTown Macon CEO Josh Rogers

A street downtown will soon bear a new name after the county commission voted to rename it in honor of the late NewTown Macon CEO Josh Rogers.

Rogers has been credited with playing an instrumental role in revitalizing downtown Macon. He fell in love with the area while studying at Mercer University, and spent nearly two decades with NewTown Macon restoring downtown and supporting locally-owned businesses.

He served as the CEO of NewTown Macon from 2014 until his sudden death in November 2024. He was 42.

Now, Macon will honor his contributions after the Macon-Bibb County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to rename a section of Third Street between Poplar and Cherry streets “Josh Rogers Way.”

Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller, who introduced the resolution during Tuesday’s meeting, said Rogers made Macon a better place through his vision and commitment to bettering the city.

“We are stronger, kinder, and more united because of Josh, his leadership, and, most importantly, his love for our community,” Miller said.

NewTown Macon released a statement praising the decision.

“Throughout his career – from his early service with the City of Macon, to leading Historic Macon’s revitalization of Beall’s Hill, to transforming NewTown Macon into Central Georgia’s first CDFI, establishing downtown’s Business Improvement District, and guiding downtown to Great American Main Street recognition – Josh championed a vision of Macon where opportunity belonged to everyone,” the statement said.

NewTown Macon will host a formal dedication ceremony in early 2026, according to the release.

This story was originally published November 20, 2025 at 1:07 PM.