e Voice of Business
Mike Dyer, President/CEO
For 153 years the Chamber has strived to do what is best for business in Macon.
Due to the hard work of our volunteers, board members and staff, 2013 proved to
be an outstanding year for the Chamber! Our membership continues to grow as our
community strengthens.
As your voice — the voice of business — the Chamber represents hundreds of
members, from all industries and of all sizes. Our commitment is to advocate for
favorable policies and legislation on important issues, as well as create the best place
for business in Middle Georgia.
One of the most important initiatives that we support is economic development.
Along with our partners, the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority, Macon-
Bibb and the Macon Bibb County Water Authority, we celebrated an exciting
announcement during 2013 — the decision by Aspen Products, Inc., a paper
products manufacturer, to open a 200,000-square-foot plant in Macon, creating
more than 200 additional jobs. Membership enrollments help fund our economic
development efforts. e number of businesses interested in relocating or starting
new businesses was higher than it's ever been.
We also worked hard in these past 12 months promoting regionalism and working closely
with the 21st Century Partnership in protecting the missions at Robins Air Force Base.
Regional initiatives have included joint Leadership programs between Houston
County, Macon-Bibb and Monroe County and discussions between Macon-Bibb
and Houston County economic development partners on how best to position our
region to take advantage of the Port of Savannah expansion. Additionally, we worked
closely with business and community leaders to complete the five year community
and economic development plan called One Macon! Our Vision. Our Future. e
plan is now being implemented with a number of organizations leading initiatives to
bring more jobs to Macon-Bibb, to assist in improving K–12 public education and
making our city a better place to live, work and play.
Your membership with the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce is an investment in this
process…and if we work together, that investment will pay dividends for years to come.
305 Coliseum Drive
Macon, Georgia 31217
(478)621-2000
MaconChamber.com
Chamber Staff
Audrey Connely
Vice-President, Administration
aconnely@maconchamber.com
Mike Dyer
President and CEO
mdyer@maconchamber.com
Lynn Farmer
Leadership Macon Director
lfarmer@maconchamber.com
O'Claudia Johnson
Administrative Assistant
and Information Specialist
ojohnson@maconchamber.com
Marty Koplin
Executive Assistant, MEDC
mkoplin@maconworks.com
Laura McMaster
Vice Presisent, Sales and Marketing
lmcmaster@maconchamber.com
Tim Hughes
Account Executive
thughes@maconchamber.com
Ashley Brown
Manager, Business and
Existing Industry, MEDC
abrown@maconworks.com
Tess Harper
Marketing Coordinator
tharper@maconchamber.com
Renita Patterson
Events Coordinator
rpatterson@maconchamber.com
Pat Topping, CEcD
CEcD Senior Vice-President, MEDC
ptopping@maconworks.com
Jennifer Williams
Assistant Vice President, Finance
jwilliams@maconchamber.com
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