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"What we work for is to make a difference in the life of a child.... Now, we're at a transformative moment when we can do it on a much larger scale, and you would not believe how that warms the hearts of everyone involved." ABOVE From top: A supporter event gave a sneak preview to contributors, the center's classrooms contain a multitude of music equipment and instruments. do, before even getting to anoint this place with our larger camps and programs. And when we're talking about these numbers and opportunities, we're talking about the impact they have on individual kids." There's also a broader impact on the community. Kovac, who is not only president and CEO of Sheridan Construction but also board chair of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce, offers a unique perspective. "Along with others, we at Sheridan are honored and thrilled to help bring to life a gift to the community that Karla and her team have been dreaming of for more than 10 years," she said. "It's such a unique facility for young people to learn music and the music business, and such a unique building project that, in part, meant renovating an existing historic Macon wood-framed building and adding a steel frame to seamlessly match the elevation and requirements of the all-new structure. "Add to that creating state-of-the-art labs, a recording studio, and other spaces, which took a lot of different design and construction partners, and you have so many people involved in making the Otis Redding Center a remarkable place." Kovac also emphasized that from beginning to completion, ORCA was a woman-led project, most significantly featuring Redding-Andrews, Zelma Redding, Kovac herself, and Kesia Stafford of Macon's Stafford Builders and Consultants. "From a community and Chamber perspective, part of what I see is that we now have a new Macon landmark, one that represents our past musical heritage, plus the current and future impact it has on developing and retaining talent here," she said. "Not every town has an Otis Redding to look to, a family like the Reddings who are continually investing back into the community and its young people, or an Otis Redding Center that will draw people worldwide." Mayor Lester Miller echoed that sentiment. "It was a great day in Macon-Bibb County when the new center opened, and for years to come, we're going to be watching a lot of children roll into this facility and have their lives changed," he said. "We're on a big stage here in Macon, thanks to the family June/July 2025 | maconmagazine.com 31