On Friday, April 10th, NewTown Macon launched a new coaching program to provide small businesses and non-profits access to benefit programs, financial tools, and sound planning to survive the COVID-19 crisis. Thanks to the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Central Georgia COVID-19 Response & Recovery Fund, NewTown Macon’s staff anticipates providing group and one-on-one training to 200 distinct organizations.

“As we've filled up downtown with local businesses, we realized we have the help people need right now, especially women and people of color,” said Josh Rogers, President and CEO of NewTown Macon. “Our entire NewTown team wants to help with knowledge, advice, and instruction so that Central Georgia's businesses all reopen and prosper when this crisis ends.”

Businesses and non-profits headquartered in Macon and Milledgeville, GA will be eligible to participate. Organizations will participate in an introductory live webinar led by NewTown Macon staff that provides an overview of the programs available to assist organizations through this crisis.

Each class will be taught by a member of NewTown Macon’s staff trained in the specific topic. Webinars will be recorded and posted to NewTown Macon’s YouTube channel, enabling free, 24/7 open access to the recorded content.

Participating organizations will also benefit from individual coaching sessions where a single member of NewTown’s team will work one-on-one with organizations that need additional help with any of the course content.

“Business coaching and technical assistance is at the core of the work we do as non-profit lenders and consultants on downtown business and real estate projects,” said Bethany Rogers, Director of Business and Real Estate Development. “We're very pleased to have the support of the Knight Foundation and Central Georgia COVID-19 Response & Recovery Fund, so that we can continue that work in earnest and help Macon business owners & non-profit leaders effectively strategize to not only re-open or ramp their programs back up, but also so they can be successful for the long-term.”

To participate, visit newtownmacon.com/covid-19 and click the button to register for upcoming courses.