Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/667021
98 MACONMAGAZINE.COM NewTown Macon 555 Poplar Street | 478.722.9909 NewTownMacon.com Since its 1996 inception, NewTown Macon [NTM] focuses on revitalizing Macon's historic downtown. NTM is 501(c)3 nonprofit and our mission is to implement the community's vision of a vibrant downtown by increasing residents, growing jobs, and creating a sense of place. The momentum that downtown is currently experiencing has been twenty years in the making and the community's participation will be instrumental in the continued efforts of maintaining and expanding upon what has been achieved thus far. How long have you worked at NTM? Gail: I started at NewTown in 2002. Prior to NewTown, I was a CPA with Clifton, Lipford, Hardison & Parker for 12 years. Erin: I came to NewTown in July of 2014. Before joining NewTown, I worked for my alma mater, Mercer University, for 4 years in two different capacities. Erika: I joined the staff in December of 2015. Before moving to Macon, I served as the Associate Director of Marketing for Alumni and Advancement Communications at Kennesaw State University. Which NTM project is near and dear to your heart right now? Gail: The Loft Development Loan Fund is near and dear to my heart. It has been the catalyst that has *** Pictured left to right: Erika Conleay, Erin Keller and Gail Mansfield. spurred an enormous amount of positive change in a relatively short time period. Erin: Amerson River Park. The park renovations are breathtaking; it's a little piece of heaven. This project is a key example that we can accomplish great things when we work together and combine resources. Erika: The construction/buildout of our new office on Poplar Street. The building has been beautifully renovated and includes Johnson Lofts and a co-working space. This exciting move is great for our organization and is a tangible example of NTM's mission. What do readers need to know about NTM? Our three-part mission allows our work to be vast, yet nimble, quite diverse in nature, but still very rewarding! For instance, we enjoy mentoring existing or aspiring downtown entrepreneurs and developers, providing gap financing for real estate or business development, expanding the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail, as well as spearheading First Friday programming initiatives. And that's just the tip of the iceberg! What is the most rewarding thing about working at NTM? Most rewarding: To know our work will have an ongoing positive effect for the future of our city and that our efforts will translate into even greater things for Macon. We also get to witness, first hand, the benefits when community partners, city leaders, residents, and organizations unite to ensure downtown reaches its true potential. SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Women In Business