Blake Sullivan and Kathy McArthur, founders of the Macon 30 Day Fund, will award more than 20 additional grants to deserving Macon-Bibb Georgia business owners during a press conference on August 12 at 1:00 p.m. at the Synovus Bank, 5427 Bowman Road in Macon.   

The COVID-19 crisis has put hundreds of small businesses in Macon-Bibb at risk and their owners are struggling to survive in these uncertain times.  Thus, Blake Sullivan and Kathy McArthur launched the Macon 30 Day Fund non-profit Initiative in an effort to help the community.  Specifically, their efforts were aimed at addressing some of the financial challenges that are being faced by the small business owners and to save as many Macon-Bibb jobs as possible. After some research, they agreed to start a fund modeled after one located in Virginia (The Virginia 30 Day Fund).

An important feature of the Macon-Bibb 30 Day Fund is that the monies “do not need to be repaid.” If businesses who receive the Fund’s assistance do, at a later date, wish to “pay it forward” to another Macon-Bibb small business in need of assistance, they may do so by directing those dollars back to the Fund, which will disburse the funding to another Macon-Bibb business in need. Additionally, a key qualifying factor for eligibility include being a Macon resident and having at least 3 employees along with other requirements.

Sharon Devereaux, one of the grant recipients expressed that “these funds arrived at a critical point for my business.  I own a vinyl supply/craft store and was basically out of some of the important supplies needed to keep my business afloat. My business has been adversely affected by COVID-19.  The grant funds helped me to purchase enough supplies to remain open for an additional timeframe.  Without the help, I may have been forced to suspend my operation due to a lack of materials for the business”. 

Blake and Kathy wanted to ensure that they had an external group of community/grass root leaders to review and access that applications.  They assembled an advisory committee of local individuals who reviewed each of the 200 plus applications and voted on the recipient. After having exhausted the first round of awards, additional donations were received. The recipients of the additional donations have been identified and will be presented checks during the August 12th program at the Synovus Bank.

The founders of this initiative expressed their appreciation to the dozens of businesses and individuals who contributed to the fund.  The initiative has been positively received by the community and over 200 applicants applied for the grants.   Kathy McArthur stated that “being involved in the Macon 30 Day Fund has been one of the most rewarding things I have done in my life!  It was great to help 86 fellow small businesses stay afloat during this time of duress. The team of folks working on this is without comparison, Blake Sullivan, Alex Habersham, Katie Powers, Brian Nichols, and Dominique Johnson are incredible people. It was my privilege to be a part of this team!”  When contacted for comments, Blake Sullivan expressed that” the pandemic we all faced this year is having a devastating impact on our local small businesses.  When Kathy and I started the Macon 30 Day Fund in April, we knew we could help these Macon-Bibb small businesses hold on in the midst of unprecedented times.  With the generosity of our donors and the hard work of our advisory team we were able to provide business saving funds to those that needed it the most. I am grateful to be part of helping Macon-Bibb.”

The public is invited to attend this program!