Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/809553
A P R I L / M A Y 2 0 1 7 M A C O N M A G A Z I N E | 81 NewTown Macon 555 Poplar Street | 478.722.9909 newtownmacon.com *** NewTown is celebrating 20 years of supporting, developing and loving Macon. Our four female employees are dynamic, smart women in business who think the best way to celebrate is to educate! Here are 20 things they want you to know about NewTown: 1. NewTown is passionate about downtown revitalization. 2. In 2000, there were only 28 market rate residential units downtown, TODAY there are 450! 3. For the first time in 40 years, downtown is benefiting from a mixed-use development at Capricorn lofts to include 137 lofts, clubhouse, fitness center, ground floor retail, and gated parking. 4. If you want to open or move a business downtown, contact Bethany Rogers, the Director of Real Estate and Business Development. 5. Erin Keller, the Vice President for Development, is your go- to for your donations to NewTown Macon. 6. To plan an event downtown or be involved with First Friday, contact Erika Conleay, the Director of Place. 7. NewTown's Chief Financial Officer Gail Mansfield manages finances and ensures the organization is fiscally responsible. Women In Business 8. 75% of the lofts built in the last five years have been financed through NewTown's Real Estate Loan Program. 9. Downtown is home to Macon's first escape room, Situation Room, and first barcade, Reboot Retrocade and Bar. 10. In 2012, 41% of the downtown parcels were vacant, but today only 21% remain vacant. 11. NewTown is a nonprofit that operates on the generosity of its donors. 12. NewTown Macon rehabilitated 555 Poplar Street to house the NewTown headquarters, as well as The Office, downtown's only co-working space and the Johnson Lofts. 13. NewTown Macon offers an annual class for prospective downtown developers called the Developer's Academy, sponsored by BB&T. 14. Last September, Downtown Macon hosted the world's largest pop-up bike infrastructure network. 15. NewTown hosts First Fridays in partnership with Robins Financial Credit Union each month. 16. You can find available lofts downtown on newtownmacon.com/living-downtown. 17. There are now TWO brewpubs in Downtown Macon: Ocmulgee Brewpub and Piedmont Brewery and Kitchen. 18. NewTown raises money for the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail, which is currently over 11-miles long. 19. Due to the vast improvements in downtown, property tax revenue increased more than 30% in the past two years alone. 20. The Real Estate Loan Fund can be credited for the redevelopment of over 290,000 square feet.