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6 Downtown Macon: a lasting legacy L ong before many of us fell back in love with down- town Macon, newspaper publisher, philanthropist and local resident Peyton T. Anderson Jr. had enough love for our town to last his lifetime – plus the lifetimes to follow. Give to "good-doers," instead of "do-gooders." From the start, the Foundation carried out these wish- es by re-investing in the organizations that give back to the people around us. No greater example of this dedication to the people of Macon can be found than through the Foundation's initial investments in downtown Macon's revitalization. In 1996, the Foundation enabled a group of vision- ary corporate and civic leaders to establish a nonprofit, public-private partnership called NewTown Macon. New- Town's leadership, planning and support have leveraged more than $600 million to improve downtown Macon and to increase its opportunities for new businesses and residents. The Foundation remains steadfast in its dedication to reclaim and reinvent downtown Macon as the vibrant urban hub of central Georgia. A recent signature of this dedication is the Downtown Challenge, a creative grant program that funds community-driven ideas to transform downtown Macon. The Downtown Challenge is co-funded by the Pey- ton Anderson Foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. It is administered by the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, another initiative estab- lished by the Peyton Anderson Foundation to encourage philanthropy and strengthen communities in our region. Mr. Anderson was a people person from the start, and our work at the Foundation centers on his dedication and belief in the opportunities to invest in each other's good works. He also deeply loved Macon and was a staunch believer in our ability to thrive. Ahead of his time, he firm- ly believed in buying local so the region prospered and provided a high quality of life, which in turn, attracted business and retained residents. Much of the success and resurgence of downtown Macon can be attributed to Mr. Anderson's generous and enlightened gratitude. Downtown Macon serves as a last- ing memorial to that legacy. The Peyton Anderson Foundation applauds the good-doers you will find in these pages, whose dedication to our city center continues to enhance the quality of life and economic well-being of the place we are proud to call home. As Mr. Anderson would often sign his letters: Bestest, Karen Lambert President, Peyton Anderson Foundation