August 19, 2022 * Issue 290

‌ ‌ ‌

What’s Happening at the Macon Mall? Have you driven by the Macon Mall lately? You may have seen some work being done out where the future amphitheater is going. Yes, the designs for that area have not been finalized just yet, but there is some preparation work already happening.  “We’re doing the initial grading for the amphitheater. This once was the site of the Dillards in the 90s expansion of the mall,” said Director of Planning and Public Spaces Alex Morrison. “There was a large parking lot here, a lot of paving and piping so we’re having to remove that to make way for the amphitheater.”  Our Public Works and Solid Waste Departments are helping out in the process to clear the old parking lot. While they’re removing the gravel from the lot, it’s not being thrown away. In fact, it’s being repurposed for another project, saving the County hundreds of thousands of dollars.   The gravel has been hauled out to the Walker Landfill to be used for its closure. The project requires laying concrete along the outside of the landfill.  “Right now, there’s nothing but dirt and mud surrounding the landfill. There has to be something solid on top of it, so the concrete we are receiving right now, will help and pack in that solidification that needs to be done,” said Solid Waste Manager Maurice Jackson.  The Macon Mall project is still in the finalizing designs phase before construction on the new amphitheater begins.

Streetline Percussion holds back-to-school bash

On Saturday, August 13, Streetline Percussion helped its young musicians get back in the rhythm of the school year with a big party! The non-profit held a Back-to-School bash for its members at Agnes Barden Elementary School.  They handed out hygiene products, gave out free haircuts courtesy of Mr. Royce Ivery from Hairitage Barber Shop. There was also a school officer and community leaders in attendance to speak to the kids. They went over school safety, policies, and gave the kids an opportunity to learn from social and emotional mentors.  The non-profit organization is one of 25 which received a Macon Violence Prevention Grant through the Community Foundation of Central Georgia. With the funds, the organization is reaching out to young people who march to the beat of their own drum - pun intended! Streetline members learn music and life lessons at the same time.    “There are few affordable opportunities for the youth in Macon to participate in positive activities relating to cultural and performing arts,” says Waller. “Streetline has no participation fees and offers Middle Georgia youth a wholesome alternative to “the streets” by providing education in music theory, percussion fundamentals, showmanship, and musicianship. Our intention is to carry out positive promotional activities that will continually support our members socially and emotionally. We will push safety, morals and values while using drums as motivational factors. We are "Macon a Drumazing Difference!”

Governor Kemp: Building materials manufacturer YKK AP America expands residential window production capabilities with new facility in Macon-Bibb County On August 16, 2022 Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that YKK AP America Inc. (YKK AP), a technology-oriented manufacturer of commercial façade systems and residential windows and doors, will invest up to $125 million in an expansion that will include a new manufacturing facility and additional machinery and equipment in Bibb County. The new facility will create 100 new jobs in addition to the 250 jobs YKK AP currently supports in Macon, Georgia. “Being the No. 1 state for business doesn’t just mean attracting new investments. It is also our priority to ensure companies already operating in Georgia can grow and thrive,” said Governor Kemp. “We’re excited YKK AP recognizes the advantages of doing business in middle Georgia and has chosen to expand their relationship with the Macon community through 100 new jobs.” Specializing in architectural products for commercial and residential buildings, YKK AP entered the U.S. market in 1991 with a vertically integrated, commercial products factory in Dublin, Georgia. With its headquarters in Atlanta, YKK AP and its Ontario-based subsidiary Erie Architectural Products employ over 1,200 employees in North America, including nearly 900 within the State of Georgia. “We’re excited to be able to increase our investment in the hometown of our residential products business, the city of Macon. The new facility will expand our workforce, introduce further vertical integration of vinyl extrusion, glass, and window production, and allow us to create enhanced efficiencies to manufacture the highest quality windows and doors for homebuilders and homeowners,” said Oliver Stepe, President of YKK AP America Inc. “This investment builds toward our long-term vision to be the leader in the residential window and door market and positions us to expand our business in and beyond the Southeast region." From the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority Click here to read the full story.

Celebrating Black Business Month August is celebrated nationally as Black Business Month and in Macon-Bibb County, so the Office of Small Business Affairs (OSBA) is using this month to elevate shops and organizations operated by African-Americans.   Earlier this month, OSBA held a Technical Assistance Day where business owners, and those looking to become business owners, visited with our OSBA team to learn about opportunities, how to get started, and how to navigate the procurement and vendor process within our Government. Several people took advantage of this opportunity!  Mayor Lester Miller also presented a proclamation in honor of Black Business Month. You can read it here.  The next event happening this month is the Central GA Empowerment Fund Seminar at the Booker T. Washington Community Center (301 Monroe Street) at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 20. Later that day, Project B.A.A.D. (Bringing African American Downtown) is also happening at Third Street Park from 5:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. where you can enjoy live music, food, and shop from local vendors.  To get help for your small business, OSBA is happy to help! Give them a call at (478) 751-7170.

Black Business Spotlight Gamez on Wheelz & Serenity Entertainment Complex

Game Cave

Anthony Howard

Serenity

Anthony Howard quickly found out that Corporate America wasn’t for him. He wanted to be able to make his own hours to spend time with his 13-year-old son, especially since his son traveled for baseball.  So, in 2016, with his love for video games, he opened up Gamez on Wheelz GA. The ultimate video game party on wheels serves the entire state of Georgia and part of Alabama by pulling up to special events with large screen TVs, latest gaming consoles, and a variety of video games.  “Coming from the Bloomfield area, I wanted to create something that I could bring back to that area,” said Howard. “A lot of the times, kids are raising kids because their parents are working a lot of the time. I wanted to bring them something fun, but also show them that you don’t have to go to college or the military, but you can become an entrepreneur.”  The Westside High School graduate and business owner operates three trucks that have traveled to many different places. He’s also been hired by NFL players and other celebrities.  “It’s been very eye opening and very rewarding,” said Howard.   Howard’s latest adventure has been opening Serenity Entertainment Complex located in Downtown Macon. It’s a beautiful listening room for live music and special events. Right next door is the Gaming Cave, an extension of Gamez on Wheelz, where kids and adults can go play video games Wednesday through Saturday from 4:00 p.m. until midnight.  “I just wanted to create a space that can bring families together,” said Howard.  Howard is also a proud member of the Office of Small Business Affairs (OSBA). If you’d like to learn more about how to become a member, contact Director Charise Stephens at CStephens2@maconbibb.us.  “OSBA believes that sharing small business success stories can be a catalyst for change. Black Business Month is the perfect opportunity to showcase some of these movers and shakers, that are making our community a better place to live, work, and play,” said Stephens. “Mr. Howard is a young man with a dream, and he is working every day to bring those dreams to fruition. He is an inspiration and is inspiring other entrepreneurs to dream. How great is that!”

Final weekend to sign up for football and cheerleading season Are you interested in signing your child up for football and cheerleading season? There is still time to do so! The Recreation Department extended registration another week, and Saturday, August 20, is the last time to do so.      The Recreation Department is looking for 4-year-old flag football players, tackle football players ages 5 to 10 years old, and cheerleaders ages 4 to 10 years old. Games begin September 17, 2022.       “We are so excited for another great football and cheerleading season,” says Recreation Assistant Director and Sports Manager Armand Burnett. “We encourage families to sign up and participate this season. It’s not only a good time, but it’s an opportunity to stay healthy and active.”      Online registration is currently available at rec.maconbibb.us until August 20. On-site registration will be Saturday, August 13 and Saturday, August 20 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Recreation Department’s Administrative Office (150 Willie Smokie Glover Drive).    Flag Football: $50  Tackle Football: $75  Cheerleading: $75

EMA to host first Emergency Preparedness Fair

On Saturday, September 17, 2022, the Macon-Bibb County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is holding its first-ever Emergency Preparedness Fair. The Fair is happening from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Frank Johnson Recreation Center (2227 Mercer University Drive).  This family-friendly and free event is a wonderful opportunity for citizens to learn the proper practices to prepare for and take action in times of a disaster. Partnering agencies such as the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, Fire Department, Animal Welfare, American Red Cross, Community Ambulance, Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), and the Health Department will all be in attendance.  “Preparedness is crucial when your home or community are struck by a disaster,” says EMA Director Spencer Hawkins. “Knowing how to be prepared and how to properly respond to a disaster can be the matter of life or death. We want everyone to take advantage of this opportunity, especially as we enter hurricane season.”  People will learn preparedness tactics such as writing emergency plans and mapping their evacuation routes, preparing disaster kits useful when evacuating quickly, basic CPR training, basic fire safety, etc. They will also get the opportunity to take home educational material and items that contribute to a disaster kit.    “We chose an event as large as this because we have so many wonderful partners in the community we wanted to utilize, as well as allow them a chance to connect to the Macon-Bibb community,” says Hawkins. “We’re hoping this is the first of many more fairs in the future.”

Macon Water Authority receives industry Gold Award for Peak Performance NACWA recognizes Lower Poplar Water Reclamation Facility for no permit violations As the water industry’s summer conference season comes to a close, the Macon Water Authority (MWA) is celebrating a string of awards that place the utility among the best of the best in the state and nation. During the recent Utility Leadership Conference of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) in Seattle, Washington, the MWA was among a select number of utilities in the country to receive the Gold Award for Peak Performance at its Lower Poplar Water Reclamation Facility. The NACWA Peak Performance Gold Award is presented to facilities with no permit violations during this past calendar year. According to NACWA officials, the award was especially impressive considering water utilities have been continually facing the challenges of staffing and operating during the pandemic. “Despite the many challenges and setbacks that we faced as a nation and a global community over the last three years, these (award winning) NACWA member public utilities have been able to deliver consistent and reliable clean water services,” says Adam Krantz, NACWA Chief Executive Officer. “The herculean efforts by the staff and leadership of the over 350 utilities that comprise NACWA’s membership cannot be overstated, particularly their work as front-line environmental first responders. Truly, America’s public clean water utilities held steadfast in their commitment to serve and inspire their communities throughout the course of the pandemic.” NACWA is the nation’s recognized leader in legislative, regulatory, legal and communications advocacy on the full spectrum of water issues. NACWA represents public wastewater and stormwater agencies of all sizes, nationwide. Click here to read the full story.

Loved ones sought for unclaimed cremains County to memorialize ashes at Historic Rose Hill Cemetery

Macon-Bibb County is asking relatives of 166 people who have been cremated and unclaimed to come forward. People who wish to claim their loved one’s ashes will need do so before September 19, 2022.     Any cremains unclaimed after that time will be memorialized in Historic Rose Hill Cemetery by having the ashes spread in a dedicated memorial garden. A ceremony is planned for the spreading of the ashes in a reverent and respectful manner. The date and time for the ceremony has yet to be determined.     “To quote John Galsworthy poem ‘Scatter my ashes! Let them be free to the air, soaked in the sunlight and rain,’” says Clerk of Commission Janice Ross.     “This is the first Scatter Garden at Rose Hill Cemetery, and we wanted to make sure it was a beautiful resting place for these remains,” says Director of Parks and Beautification Michael Glisson. “This is a way for us for us to disperse ashes with dignity and give them the proper ceremony they deserve.”     People who want to claim their loved ones’ ashes need to file with the Superior Court Clerk’s Office by e-file online through www.odysseyefilega.com, which has information to help individuals file documents without lawyers. They can also bring the documents in to the Superior Court Clerk’s Office and file through the office’s computer with assistance. Then either mail, email, or hand deliver a copy of their answer to Sr. Assistant County Attorney Michael McNeill. The claim “answer” should include, at a minimum, the case number (22-CV-77080), the person claiming the ashes’ name and contact information, identify the person’s cremains they are claiming, and say what their relation to the deceased or interest in the cremains is. No cremains will be released until after the full 60 days has run and the Court has entered a final order in the case.

Click here to read full story and see full list of names.

‌ ‌ ‌

About the Hub The Hub is Macon-Bibb County's source of information for employees, residents, businesses, and partners. With this regular e-blast, the Office of Communications provides a consistent flow of information about the efforts and successes of the consolidated government and partners to strengthen Macon-Bibb as the Hub City of Middle Georgia.

Office of Communications The Office of Communications include Media Relations, MaconBibbTV, and Customer Service. Its goal is to provide people information about the consolidated government and partner organizations, and to give them the chance to provide feedback, ask questions, and request services.  The Office has earned multiple recognitions for its efforts. ‌ Macon-Bibb County Macon-Bibb County is the fourth largest city in Georgia. Created on January 1, 2014 after being approved by the voters, it is Georgia's newest consolidated government and serves about 155,000 residents and thousands more visitors. Its governing body consists of 10 Commissioners, with the Mayor serving as its Chair and the Chief Executive Office of the administration.