The Community Foundation of Central Georgia is thrilled to announce that we received 66 grant applications for the second deadline of the Downtown Challenge on September 15th.

The applications totaled nearly $4.2 million in grant requests. The Community Foundation is now working with the MAP Action Committee and the Community Foundation’s Grants Committee to review and score the applications according to the funding priorities of the Macon Action Plan, a five-year strategic plan designed to improve Macon’s urban core and respond to four community needs and opportunities detailed in the plan:

-  Economic Development – Diversify the local economy to ensure that downtown is competitive and attractive for new business, support Macon’s institutions as economic anchors for growth, send a clear message that Macon is open for business, and support startups and attract job-creating businesses.

-  Experience – Program downtown’s social life, build the local audience, keep the urban core clean and safe, and transform Macon’s sidewalks and public spaces as the center stage for community life.

-  Living – Encourage more households to locate downtown, update regulations and codes to encourage investment, and strengthen surrounding neighborhoods to offer the best of both worlds (downtown and Intown living).

-  Connectivity – Cultivate and improve multimodal transportation options, enhance safety and manage downtown’s parking system in a comprehensive manner.

“One of our goals for the Downtown challenge is to encourage new leaders to become engaged with the revitalization of downtown Macon. The Community Foundation is excited to announce that more than 50 people rose to that challenge and submitted ideas in the second round,” said Kathryn Dennis, president of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia. “This significant infusion of capital and leadership will jumpstart the implementation of the Macon Action Plan and these exciting projects will accelerate the positive momentum in Downtown.

The Downtown Challenge is a three-year, $3 million grant program funding community-driven ideas to transform Downtown Macon, also known as the city’s urban core that stretches from the central business district to surrounding neighborhoods. Just under $2.5 million remains in the Downtown Challenge fund after the first round of grants, awarded to 22 recipients this summer.

The latest recipients will be announced at a news conference and grant celebration on December 6. Details about the location and time will be available soon.

The Downtown Challenge is administered by the Community Foundation of Central Georgia and was made possible by the Peyton Anderson Foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; each provided $1.5 million in support.

For more information about the Downtown Challenge Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia and to apply, visit downtownchallengemacon.org.