The recent recruiting and retention success of the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority (MBCIA) has garnered praise from economic development professionals from throughout the Southeast – a region of the country which collectively equates to the world’s third largest economy. Southern Business & Development covers the economic development activities of this region, and this leading industry trade publication has recognized the MBCIA for its success in 2017.

Macon-Bibb County, Georgia has earned the distinction of being the “Mid-Market of the Year,” as reflected in the Southern Business & Development 100, which ranks states and markets according to the number and quality of projects captured the previous calendar year. Those projects must meet or exceed 200 jobs and/or $30 million in investment to count among the noted economic development successes of respective markets making the exclusive list.

Macon-Bibb County earned “Mid-Market of the Year” after accumulating 55 points according to the metric used by Southern Business & Development to assemble a top 100 economic developers in the Southeast. Macon’s economic development success points total was more than double those of the two closest ranked markets in Georgia – Columbus and Savannah, who each totaled 25 points.

“We are so proud to be atop an industry ranking that reflects the very mission of our Industrial Authority – to pursue projects that will have a significant, positive impact on the economic development and quality of life for the citizens of Macon-Bibb County,” says Stephen Adams, Acting Director of the MBCIA. “While we had a record year in economic development success in 2017, we are not becoming complacent or resting on those accomplishments. We are just as committed to bringing quality jobs and investments into our community as we werewhen our peers dubbed us the “Mid-Market of the Year.”

The major economic development projects coming to fruition in Macon-Bibb County in 2017 included:

• Tyson Foods investing $59 million to expand its current distribution center, which will add an estimated 100 jobs to Macon-Bibb County, bringing their workforce total to approximately 240 at this facility.

• Irving Consumer Products selecting Macon-Bibb County for a $400 million-dollar investment in a state-of-the-art tissue manufacturing center, which will employ an estimated 200 citizens.

• Amazon selecting Macon-Bibb County as the site for constructing a $90 million fulfillment center – its fourth in the state of Georgia – which will result in an estimated 500 full-time jobs in the community.

• Graphic Packaging International investing $136 million to upgrade and modernize its Macon Mill, which will add an estimated 100 jobs to the community, bringing thecompany’s total workforce number to approximately 240.

• Star Snacks investing over $10 million in a new peanut roasting and packaging operations bringing over 100 jobs into the community.

  The MBCIA is the leading economic development recruitment and retention organization in Macon-Bibb County, working on behalf of the Macon-Bibb County Commission and in partnership with the Macon Water Authority and other local government agencies and industrial- economic development entities.