September 4, 2026 • Issue 497

Airport celebrates 'topping out' of new executive terminal

Construction on the new guitar-shaped executive terminal at Middle Georgia Regional Airport has reached a major milestone, bringing the project one step closer to welcoming visitors to Macon-Bibb County.

On Monday, August 31, Macon-Bibb County, Middle Georgia Regional Airport, Sheridan Construction, and project partners gathered for a topping out ceremony, marking the placement of the final structural beam on the new Fixed Base Operator (FBO) executive terminal.

The milestone celebrates the progress made since construction began and recognizes the crews, contractors, and partners who have helped bring the project to life. The new terminal is expected to be completed by May 2027.

“This project is another example of the progress we’re seeing across Macon-Bibb County and the investments we’re making in our future,” said Mayor Lester Miller. “Our airport is an important part of our growth, from economic development and tourism to the way we connect with the rest of the world. This new terminal will give people a sense of who we are as a community while also showing them where we’re headed.”

The terminal’s distinctive piano and guitar-shaped design pays tribute to Macon’s rich musical history while creating a memorable gateway for people arriving in the community by air. For airport leaders, that connection to the community is an important part of the project.

“This is an important piece. We refer to it as a community project, not an airport project,” said Doug Faour, Aviation Director at the Middle Georgia Regional Airport. “This is a first impression. This is the place they’ll see first, and when they come into this building, they’ll recognize our musical heritage pretty quickly. Before they leave the airport, that’s already a very important piece of our community, and it’ll make a fantastic first impression.”

The impact of the project is already being felt beyond the airport. Construction is supporting local jobs and putting project dollars back into the local and state economies.

“The workforce development this project has brought to Macon, along with the purchase of local and Georgia-made materials, has had a huge impact,” said Christy Kovac, President/CEO of Sheridan Construction. “It means more of those dollars are staying right here in Macon-Bibb County and across Georgia, supporting our local workforce and economy.”



Construction will continue over the coming months, with completion anticipated in May 2027.

Macon-Bibb to dedicate

“Otis Redding Way” in honor of music legend

On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, Macon-Bibb County will celebrate the life, music, and legacy of Otis Redding with a special street dedication ceremony. The speaking portion of the ceremony will take place at 10:00 a.m. in the Zelma Redding Amphitheater at the Otis Redding Center for the Arts (436 Cotton Avenue).

The ceremony will officially dedicate portions of Cotton Avenue and Mulberry Street Lane as “Otis Redding Way,” following approval of an ordinance by the Macon-Bibb County Commission. The dedication recognizes Redding’s extraordinary musical achievements, his deep ties to Macon, and the impact he and his family continue to have on the community.

“Otis Redding holds a special place in Macon’s story, and we are so proud to celebrate his life and legacy in a way that will last for generations,” says Mayor Lester Miller. “His music brings people together, broke barriers, and continues to speak to generations of people. Otis Redding Way is more than a name on a street sign. It’s a lasting reminder of an extraordinary man whose music, generosity, and spirit continue to inspire us, and it ensures his legacy will always have a visible place in our community.”

“As we continue to cement my dad’s musical and philanthropic legacy, this street dedication only a few feet from where his office was is very symbolic of his impact,” says Redding’s daughter and Otis Redding Foundation Vice-President and Executive Director, Karla Redding-Andrews. “With much appreciation for our supporters in the city of Macon and Bibb County, we’re humbled and excited to celebrate this recognition for the man, the artist and the philanthropist that dad was.”

The ceremony will take place on what would have been Redding’s 85th birthday.



Redding was born September 9, 1941, in Dawson, Georgia, and moved with his family to Macon when he was two years old. His musical journey began here, singing in the choir at Vineville Baptist Church, participating in the band at Ballard Hudson High School, and competing in talent shows at the historic Douglass Theatre. As a teenager, he famously won the theatre’s five-dollar talent show prize 15 times in a row before he was no longer allowed to compete.

Government hours for Labor Day

Macon-Bibb County Government Offices and Courts will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2026, in observance of the Labor Day Holiday. Emergency services such as the Sheriff’s Office, E-911, and Fire Department will remain operational. 

The Convenience Center at 1010 11th Street will be closed on Monday, September 7. The Center will resume to its regular business hours on Tuesday, September 8, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Click here to see Convenience Center hours. 



All trash and yard waste pickup services will shift one day that week. If your normal pickup day is Monday, it will move to Tuesday and so on. 

Number of people experiencing homelessness in Macon drops significantly

Every two years, Macon-Bibb County participates in the statewide Point-In-Time (PIT) Count under the direction of Georgia’s Department of Community Affairs (DCA) in order to help determine the number of people experiencing homelessness in the area. The count is one-night snapshot of people experiencing homelessness in a community.

Between 2024 and 2026, the number of people experiencing homelessness decreased by more than 34%. In 2024, there were 682 people counted, with 307 being unsheltered and 375 in shelters. In 2026, 448 people were counted, with 166 being unsheltered and 282 sheltered.

Part of the count also includes a determination of housing inventory, both the number of available beds and the number of people using them. From 2024 to 2026, the number of people using the more stable transitional housing increased from 186 to 203 and permanent supportive housing increased from 321 to 363. The number of people using emergency shelters decreased from 189 to 79, and rapid rehousing numbers decreased from 167 to 87.

“This much of a change speaks to the compassion of our community, of its ability to create more safe and secure spaces to house people in their time of need, to provide the needed support services, and to make sure people know where they can go for help,” says Mayor Lester Miller. “From opening up the Brookdale Resource Center to increasing outreach services, we have begun building a service pipeline that will help move people and families into stable housing.”

“This is a substantial change in just two years and a reversal of the trend leading up to 2024,” says Reverend Dr. Jake Hall with Root Analytics, the organization which led this year’s PIT Count. “We’re seeing fewer people unsheltered or staying in shelters, and more people moving into some form of housing.”

After several years of outreach efforts, the number and density of encampments have also significantly decreased. Due to the public safety and public health challenges these encampments present, they have been cleaned of trash, human waste, burned materials, and more. This includes camps at Melrose and Astor, on Eisenhower Parkway, and along the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail near Gateway Park.

“Despite this progress, we have much more to do,” adds Mayor Miller. “There are still many people who need assistance, including those who require a level of mental and addiction support that is currently difficult to receive at the needed levels.”

EMA looking for student artists to be part of Emergency Preparedness Calendar

Macon-Bibb County’s Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is calling on young artists to put their creativity to work and help teach the community about emergency preparedness.

EMA is now accepting entries for its annual Children’s Art Contest for the 2027 Emergency Preparedness Calendar. All Macon-Bibb County students in grades K-12, regardless of where they attend school, are invited to participate.

“This contest is a great way to get our young people thinking about what it means to be prepared while also giving them an opportunity to help educate the entire community,” says EMA Director Spencer Hawkins. “Preparedness starts with conversations at home, and we hope these students will use their creativity to encourage their families and neighbors to think about what they would do before, during, and after an emergency.”

Selected artwork will be featured throughout the 2027 calendar, which will also provide important information and tips to help families prepare for emergencies and disasters. EMA has used previous calendars to encourage residents to make a plan, build an emergency kit, and stay informed.

Students can draw or paint anything related to preparedness actions, natural disasters, or man-made disasters. Artwork may be created using paint, pen or pencil, pastels, crayons, or any combination of those materials.

All artwork must be submitted on 8.5-by-11-inch drawing or construction paper and must be created horizontally.



The deadline to submit artwork is September 30, 2026. Students interested should talk to their teacher or art teach at their school. The application should be printed, filled out, and returned to their school.

The Inaugural Paranor-Macon 2026 Brings a New Paranormal Convention and After-Dark Experiences to Macon

From Visit Macon - The Paranormal Society of Savannah will present Paranor-Macon 2026, a two-day convention exploring paranormal phenomena, cryptids, UFOs and other unexplained mysteries, October 16–17 at the Macon Marriott City Center.

The event will bring together investigators, psychics, authors, researchers, vendors and enthusiasts from across the region for presentations, demonstrations and interactive programming. Topics will include paranormal investigations, haunted locations and history, psychic phenomena, tarot, UFOs, Bigfoot, Mothman, Dogman and other cryptids.

Hands-on workshops and special programs will include “Paranormal Investigating 101,” “How to Hunt for Bigfoot” and psychic gallery readings. Programming is designed for experienced investigators, as well as, those who are simply curious about the unexplained.

After the convention concludes each evening, ticketed experiences will continue at two of Macon’s historic sites. After Dark Hunts at Fort Hawkins will be offered Friday & Saturday nights, while Lantern Tours of Rose Hill Cemetery will introduce guests to the cemetery’s history, legends, and stories. Proceeds will directly benefit Fort Hawkins and Rose Hill Cemetery.

“We are thrilled to welcome Paranor-Macon to Macon during a time when our destination truly goes Beyond what visitors can see on the surface,” said Charlotte Moody, Director of Sales for Visit Macon. “October continues to build momentum through our Macon Beyond campaign, which brings together the Witches Float, Macon Macabre walking tours and immersive experiences at historic sites such as The Hay House, Riverside Cemetery and the Piedmont Grand Opera House. Paranor-Macon adds an exciting new dimension to a month when Macon’s history, mystery and imagination come alive.”

General admission begins at $10. Military personnel, first responders and teachers will receive free admission, as will children ages 12 and younger. Some workshops and after-dark experiences may require separate registration or tickets.

Vendor spaces are available for $125 to businesses, artists, authors, paranormal organizations, collectors and other exhibitors. A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are also available.

*A discounted lodging rate is available to attendees at the Macon Marriott City Center through September 15, 2026. Guests are encouraged to reserve accommodations before the deadline.

Tickets, vendor applications, sponsorship information and additional event details are available atParanor-Macon.com. Event announcements, guest reveals and schedule updates will also be shared through Paranor-Macon’s social media channels.