The Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority (MBCIA) announced a joint partnership between MBCIA, The Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce, NewTown Macon, Visit Macon, and the Urban Development Authority with the engagement of Retail Strategies, a unique retail recruitment consultant possessing a high degree of professional skill and experience in the area of urban development. Launching in 2024, Retail Strategies will commence market performance and retail analysis maximizing opportunities to increase local and macro retail trends as well as actively recruit retail on behalf of the community.

“We are actively looking at how we can improve and strengthen different areas around our entire community, and that includes seeing what kind of retail and shopping options would best serve them,” says Mayor Lester Miller. “With Retail Strategies, we will be better placed to bring new options, bring back favorites, fill vacant storefronts, and create new development…all which will better serve that area, our entire county, and our entire region.”

Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, Retail Strategies is a national firm with other offices across the Southeast in the cities of Atlanta, Fort Worth, and Starkville. Their team leverages valuable connections with retailers, brokers, and developers throughout the region and beyond, extending the reach for connections on behalf of Macon-Bibb County. 

“As the regional hub of Middle Georgia, Macon-Bibb County and their leadership have implemented a proactive and holistic approach to economic and community development for many years, resulting in industry success and the reactivation and investment in the downtown core,” shared Mill Graves, Retail Strategies Senior Director of Community Partnership. “Our team sees a tremendous opportunity to elevate, diversify, and redevelop retail in the entire County, bringing greater exposure to the vision of leadership and momentum that will serve as an extension of leadership with a focus on retail.” 

As a retail expert and real estate consultant actively recruiting on behalf of nearly 200 communities nationally, the dynamic partnership with Retail Strategies ushers in a new era of destination retail growth in Macon-Bibb County. MBCIA looks forward to boosting an already robust effort of the greater Macon-Bibb community by implementing a proactive business recruitment and retention effort that will strengthen the health of the retail community and benefit the quality of life for residents and visitors.