Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/315858
Community and Economic Development Robbo Hatcher, Chairman The MEDC is the single point of contact for economic development projects. It is the "Coming Together" of the public-private sectors for the purpose of recruiting new business and industry to Macon and Bibb County, and for working with existing business and industry on expansions and retention. During 2012 the MEDC: • Recruited Tractor Supply Company's new 690,000-square-foot distribution center resulting in $58 million investment and 300 new jobs. • Assisted Lintech International with their recent expansion resulting in $1 million additional investment and 11 new jobs. • Opened 41 new projects representing more than 5,900 potential jobs and more than $1.6 billion in new capital investment. • Enhanced the public-private partnership by providing business leaders and elected officials with tour of industrial parks; • Responded to more than 13 requests for information from companies and consultants and submitted 30 proposals for existing buildings and 20 sites to prospective companies. Exisiting Business and Industry Jason Delves, Vice Chair This division has supported existing industry in Macon-Bibb County area in order to retain jobs, expand investment and create more jobs. "Coming Together", our key accomplishments in 2012 included: • Hosted three Quality Network Meetings with Houston County Development Authority and Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute; • Hosted Environmental Safety and Health Network meeting with Houston County Development Authority and Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute; • Partnered with the Middle Georgia Employer Committee on the Georgia Warehousing and Distribution Center Networking event; • Hosted four Industrial Park Association Events; Workforce Division Cyndey Busbee, Vice Chair This division has been successful in achieving its objective to support regional and local partnerships in addressing the workforce issues facing employers in Central Georgia. "Coming Together" with others during 2012, the MEDC: • Hosted Workforce Development Summit in May for regional partners; • Hosted the Middle Georgia Regional Business and Industry Summit; • Hosted an On-the-Job Training Program Lunch & Learn presented by Macon-Bibb County Workforce Investment Board; • Partnered with Macon-Bibb County Workforce Investment Board on two Advanced Manufacturing Targeted "Reverse" job fairs; • Promoted the Veterans Career Expo hosted by the Georgia Department of Labor and Middle Georgia Employer Committee. Dan Forrester, Executive Vice President with State Bank, (right) working together with State Bank client Rahul Kaushik (left) of Holiday Inn Macon North.