Mollie Davis and Andrew Eck, co-owners of GeorgiaPallet, were awarded the latest $2,000 micro-grant from the 478 Bibb Fund. The Macon makers were awarded the grant after submitting their plans to launch a website and expand their creative services.

GeorgiaPallet is a custom, handcrafted furniture business that uses reclaimed wood, primarily from industrial pallets. Their slogan is “Pallets with a Purpose” and among their signature products are coffee tables, custom signs and wine racks. Davis and Eck started the business while they were both students at Mercer University. Davis is now enrolled at Mercer Law, while Eck remains a current undergraduate student. 

Their 478 Bibb Fund application also said the grant funding would be used for GeorgiaPallet’s logo development, a “risk cushion” so they can take on bigger, more labor intensive creations, and two additional memberships to SparkMacon, the downtown maker space where they currently operate. While Eck and Davis are current SparkMacon members, they recently added on two employees to assist with their creations, and the grant will cover their memberships to use the space for one year. 

Davis said the grant will allow them to pursue additional product development like custom cornhole boards, dog beds, beer flights and bed frames, which have all been requested since launching their business. 

“We appreciate that the 478 Bibb Fund exists and provides a resource that wishes Macon well. This group is putting their money where their mouths are by supporting small businesses and investing in local entrepreneurs,” she said. 

The 478 Bibb Fund, established by a group of local entrepreneurs and business leaders, was designed to spur innovation and entrepreneurship in Central Georgia. It began in April 2013 and continues to receive applications from local residents. The micro-grant program remains open to all individuals and organizations in the Central Georgia region and is currently accepting applications on its website 478bibbfund.com. The group takes no equity and doesn’t expect repayment, a stake in the idea or any other compensation post-award. According to the site, the leaders who established the grants simply “want to help great ideas become reality.” 

“This is the fifth business that our group has funded in the last two years, and it continues to excite us as an organization to see young, creative entrepreneurs like these two Mercer students ready put their ideas into action, passion into business and talents to work in Macon,” said 478 Bibb Fund Founder Stewart Vernon, founder and CEO of America’s Swimming Pool Company (ASP).

In an effort to promote Macon makers and foster local talent and entrepreneurship, the College Hill Alliance is promoting the 478 Bibb Fund and other micro-grant organizations in the Central Georgia region. The Alliance can also help individuals and organizations establish their own micro-granting program to foster local entrepreneurship. 

For more information, contact Jessica Walden at the College Hill Alliance: 478.621.4420 / [email protected]. For interviews with GeorgiaPallet’s co-owners and recipients of the latest 478 Bibb Fund, contact Mollie Davis at 678.603.0309.