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8 8 M A C O N M A G A Z I N E . C O M A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 9 ABOUT LEADERSHIP MACON THE PROJECT MISSION: To improve the overall safety and public health of Macon- Bibb citizens by addressing blight in the community, with a primary focus starting in Pleasant Hill. e Fight Blight Macon project consists of three parts: Blight Removal and Prevention: 2018 Leadership Macon is partnering with Macon Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Macon to remove existing blight and to assist in minor home repair in attempt to prevent future blight. Neighborhood Cleanup: Leadership Macon will be working alongside residents of Pleasant Hill to clean up the neighborhood. is will also serve as part of the sweat equity class members are dedicating to this year's project. Community Toolkit: As a sustainability effort, this online resource will be created and made available for neighborhoods to utilize to help tackle blight in their own communities. Leadership Macon is a signature program of the Chamber that, each year, brings together a diverse group of leaders from across the community. Students learn more about Macon-Bibb County and develop a project that will benefit the area. This year's class chose a project that reinforces what a wonderful place Macon is to live, work and play. 2018 LEADERSHIP MACON CLASS PROJECT e 2018 Leadership Macon Class decided to address the issue of blight in Macon-Bibb by identifying at least 20 homes and/or lots to demolish and clean up in the downtown connector community of Pleasant Hill. Upon the cleanup of these properties, they were released to Habitat for Humanity to build new homes for families. ere are several technical and legal definitions of blight, and then there is the daily experience of blight. One trait that is common across all definitions and experiences of blight is that it is caused by neglect. A small problem becomes bigger over time. Without intervention, sooner or later, blight spreads and takes over a block, then the neighborhood, then the district, and then the city. Blight is simply the physical result of dire economic and social forces affecting our city over many decades. e 2018 Leadership Macon Class believes that every neighborhood has a future and it shouldn't include blight. Fortunately, Macon is known for its soul… for its grit and resiliency against all odds.