Historic Macon Foundation will host a Neighborhood Incubator public meeting on Tuesday, January 24 capturing public input on how to improve and strengthen Macon’s neighborhoods. Discussion from the meeting will facilitate a neighborhood training program developed by University of Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Institute for development of Leadership Development. The Neighborhood Incubator project is funded by John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.  

The public meeting will be located at The Peyton Anderson Community Services Center, 277 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. A reception will begin at 5:30pm with the meeting starting at 6:00pm.

Neighborhood Incubator is a pilot 18-month initiative that aims to promote broad-based resident engagement by working with individual neighborhoods and their residents. This project will provide the tools and resources for neighborhood residents to implement within their communities to create stronger neighborhoods.  The purpose of the public meeting is to hear directly from neighbors to understand what they want and need to ensure their neighborhood thrives.

Historic Macon has partnered with University of Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development to assist development of the Neighborhood Incubator project. Discussion from the public meeting will guide the development of a comprehensive training program created and led by faculty from The Fanning Institute.  Input from the public meeting is crucial to develop a robust and effective program.

“The Fanning Institute is very pleased to be partnering with Historic Macon Foundation through the Neighborhood Incubator Project,” said Dr. Matt Bishop, Director of the Fanning Institute.  “During the Public Meeting we want to gain information that will inform the design of leadership development sessions focused on enhancing community engagement at the neighborhood level. Through our experience, we know that grassroots leadership development can have a tremendous impact in a community.”

This training program will serve as the cornerstone of the Neighborhood Incubator and will launch the Neighborhood Council – an initiative where neighborhoods come together to discuss their issues and concerns to learn from each other and create a unified voice within the community.

“This program is unique in that it is the first and only training opportunity solely focused on bringing Macon neighbors together to develop and implement skills within their own neighborhoods,” said Ethiel Garlington, Executive Director of Historic Macon. “The public  meeting is a great opportunity to hear from the community to understand what skills and resources they need to make a difference in their neighborhood and how we can create an effective program.”

With over 30 years of experience in neighborhood revitalization, Historic Macon has worked closely with neighborhoods. “Our past involvement with InTown Macon, Hugenin Heights, Tatnall Heights, and now Beall’s Hill has shown us how engaged and active neighbors make a stronger and better community,” said Garlington. “With the launch of Neighborhood Incubator, we see this project as a tremendous opportunity to empower residents to make their neighborhoods stronger communities.”

Mr. James Caldwell, a long time Napier Heights resident, is excited about the project. “I believe it’s essential to do everything possible to allow the continuation of dignity and history of these neighborhoods,” said Caldwell. “Neighborhood residents can receive invaluable training and resources through the Neighborhood Incubator to strengthen their communities.”

All are welcome to attend the public meeting. Refreshments and childcare will be available.  Historic Macon encourages anyone who wants to make a difference in his or her neighborhood and wants his or her voice heard to attend the meeting.