Macon Magazine

BEFORE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC put a strain on cities across the country, Knight Foundation commissioned research to better understand what ties residents to their communities. Conducted by the Urban Institute prior to the coronavirus shutdowns, "Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live," leverages a survey of more than 11,000 Americans residing in metro areas across the country – including Macon – to create one of the richest datasets on what drives attachment to place. The study showed that access to quality job opportunities and safe places strengthen the connection residents feel toward their communities. In Macon, the data revealed that 79 percent of locals say quality job opportunities are very important to them, but only 52 percent feel they are easy to access. When it comes to safe places to live, work and play, 92 percent of Macon residents say those resources are very important to them, but only 55 percent report easy access – far below the national average of 77 percent. The Macon data shows us there is work to be done to create more job opportunities and safe public spaces in the community, which is more important than ever because of the pandemic. Knight is committed to working collaboratively with our city and neighborhood leaders to keep the momentum going. The new data offers points of consideration including boosting time in center city, focusing on quality of life and paying attention to issues of equity, as necessary to strengthen residents' connection to their communities. We have seen significant progress made, especially in downtown Macon. Work that has been inspired by the Macon Action Plan's extensive community engagement has supported progress made to create more job opportunities and safe places in Macon's urban core. Community Ties data can similarly inspire and inform our elected officials, community advocates and two communitywide action plans: OneMacon! and Macon's Master Arts & Culture Plan. It's up to us Maconites to decide how we use this report to drive meaningful, positive change. – LYNN MURPHEY, DIRECTOR OF THE KNIGHT FOUNDATION'S MACON PROGRAM LOCAL BUZZ STRENGTHENING RESIDENTS' CONNECTIONS TO MACON maconmagazine.com 31

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