June 12, 2026 * Issue 485 | | | Middle Georgia Regional Airport celebrates new Fort Lauderdale flight, return of BWI | |
Travelers now have a new way to get to the beach!
On Tuesday, June 9, community leaders, airport officials, and Contour Airlines celebrated the launch of nonstop service between Macon-Bibb County and Fort Lauderdale. As of Tuesday, the Middle Georgia Regional Airport (MCN) now offers flights to Fort Lauderdale, as well as Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
Mayor Lester Miller joined Aviation Director Doug Faour, Visit Macon President and CEO Gary Wheat, and Susan Skees from Contour Airlines to celebrate the occasion inside the airport terminal. You can watch the full ceremony here.
"Moments like this show what's possible when we continue investing in our community and building strong partnerships," said Mayor Miller. "Expanding air service strengthens our region, creates new opportunities, and helps position Macon-Bibb for continued growth and success."
The new Fort Lauderdale route provides travelers with direct access to one of Florida's most popular destinations, while the return of Baltimore service reconnects Middle Georgia with a key gateway to the Mid-Atlantic region.
"We're excited to celebrate another milestone for Middle Georgia Regional Airport," said Faour. "This new Fort Lauderdale route expands travel opportunities for our region and reflects the growing demand for convenient air service close to home."
You can purchase tickets now on contourairlines.com.
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Macon-Bibb County is partnering with the WorkSource Middle Georgia Consortium to help local students and young adults explore career opportunities through a new initiative: the Mayor’s Office of Youth Employment and Engagement (M.O.Y.E.E.). The program is funded by Macon-Bibb, WorkSource, and a $50,000 grant from the Griffith Foundation. Through the program, 32 young people will be provided job and employment training, a six-week paid internship, and chance to apply for permanent employment.
Through the M.O.Y.E.E., young people ages 16-24 will have a six-week internship and gain hands-on experience and exposure to a variety of career paths throughout Macon-Bibb. Participants younger than 20 will work 20 hours a week, and those 18-24 will work 25 hours a week. Businesses and organizations include local businesses, government departments, and other industries. A list of participating organizations is below.
“We are truly working to lift people up and prepare them for a successful career in our community,” said Mayor Lester Miller. “No matter their interest, we want to make sure people have the skills and opportunities to get ahead in life and create a stronger future for their families and neighborhoods.”
Each participant went through an application and interview process before being matched with an organization based on their interests and results from a career assessment. Those invited to apply initially were identified by local clergy members in the community as people who have a skillset and drive to be successful but just needed the chance to shine. The clergy members will also serve as mentors to the participants throughout the internship, checking in with them regularly to see how they are doing and providing additional guidance.
“We wanted this program to have the greatest impact in our neighborhoods, so we worked with our local clergy – those who know our families and children the best – to help find the young people that would most benefits,” said Macon-Bibb County Community Affairs Executive Director Dr. Henry Ficklin. “With us working together to open the doors for these young people – and giving them the tools to succeed – we have the chance to change the future for entire families.”
Last week, June 3-5, WorkSource Georgia provided a three-day training to help prepare the participants for the internship and potential future employment. After the training, they got a chance to take tours of YKK AP and United Defense.
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Two formerly blighted properties on Davis Street are getting a new purpose and a new life.
On Wednesday, June 10, the Macon-Bibb County Affordable Housing Fund and community partners celebrated the launch of a new supportive housing project in Payne City that will help families go from emergency shelter to long-term stability.
“What makes this project so special is that it takes properties that once represented blight and uncertainty and transforms them into places of hope,” said Mayor Lester Miller. “These homes will become steppingstones for families working to rebuild their lives and move toward permanent housing.”
The project includes the rehabilitation of an existing house at 48 Davis Street and the construction of a new house on a vacant lot at 58 Davis Street.
“We are transforming blight into opportunity and creating spaces where families can build stable and hopeful futures,” said District 5 Commissioner Andrea Cooke. “These homes represent hope, dignity, and a chance for families to move forward and I am so proud that this is happening in District 5.”
Once complete, the 2-bedroom homes will provide supportive housing for families identified through a partnership with the Brookdale Resource Center. The houses will be less than half of a mile from the Resource Center.
“Remaining in a familiar neighborhood provides a sense of comfort during a significant life transition,” said Brookdale Resource Center Executive Director Alison Bender. “For families, nearby means children can remain in the same schools, ride the same bus routes, and maintain friendships and relationships with teachers and classmates. Adults can stay connected to their jobs, healthcare providers, faith communities, and support networks.”
The initiative is designed to serve as a bridge for families working to rebuild their lives by providing a safe, stable place to live while they prepare for permanent housing.
“These homes are going to act as that transition point for families,” said Natalie Bouyett, Executive Director of the Affordable Housing Fund. “To be able to offer this opportunity is a great way for a community to meet families at every path of life.”
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Juneteenth government hours, trash schedule | |
Macon-Bibb County will observe the federal holiday, Juneteenth, and close all government offices, including court system, on Friday, June 19, 2026. Emergency and law enforcement services will remain operational, including the Fire Department, Sheriff’s Office, E-911, and EMA.
The 11th Street Convenience Center (which is normally open seven days a week) and the Convenience Center at 4214 Fulton Mill Road will be closed on Friday, 6/19. Click here to see normal hours of operation.
Ryland Environmental will remain operational on 6/19, so trash, recycling, and bulk waste collection days will not change during the week.
| | | | EMA offering public chance to review draft Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Plan | | |
The Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is currently updating its Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Plan and is seeking input from the public on the draft. Four public meetings and an online survey were used to develop the plan’s draft, and now the EMA is asking departments, agencies, and the public to review it to help ensure all challenges, opportunities, and resources are being considered.
“This process is really helping us gauge our community’s preparedness level, develop better training, and create more specific plans,” says Robert McCord, EMA Deputy Director. “Everyone’s voice should be heard and be part of making our community more prepared for future disasters.”
The plan can be viewed and feedback provided by clicking here. The survey will be available through Monday, June 15, 2027.
“By preparing and planning now, we are better able to respond and protect our community when a disaster or crisis happens,” adds McCord.
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Splash into the summer
Pools, splash pads now open
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It’s officially summertime in Macon-Bibb County, which means several recreation pools and splash pads are now open!
Pools at Frank Johnson Recreation Center (2227 Mercer University Drive), Delores A. Brooks Recreation Center (3326 Ocmulgee East Boulevard), Memorial Park (2465 Second Street) and South Bibb Recreation Center (7035 Houston Road) will be open Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and Tuesdays through Fridays from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Splash pads at South Bibb Recreation Center and Freedom Park (3301 Roff Avenue) are also open and will operate on the same schedule as the pools throughout the summer. The splash pads at Filmore Thomas and Daisy Park are waiting on inspections and will open next week.
Pool admission is $1, and children must be accompanied by an adult.
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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.
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The Office of Communications include Media Relations, event planning, photography and video services, criss communication, and more. 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.
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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.
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