James MagazineJames_July-August_2026_web - Flipbook - Page 11
PIEDMONT GRANT OPERA HOUSE
for everyone. We look forward to reinstating EBID for its
third six-year term in 2027.”
In the “center” of much of the renewal of Macon is
NewTown Macon. Specializing in downtown redevelopment, NewTown has led the way in making Macon a
more desirable location for young professionals, looking
for restaurants and a bar scene.
“We did our first downtown loft redevelopment,
historic rehabilitation project in 2012. Before then, we
only had 28 lofts in downtown Macon,” said James
Fritze, president and CEO at NewTown. “Now we’re
getting close and now we’ve probably got over 930 with
full occupancy. That’s just a tribute to the fact that this
is a great downtown. It’s eight blocks by six blocks. It’s
a mile square, it’s walkable, it’s got every other block
has a wide promenade in the middle of it. And it’s got
trees. And the buildings are historic and just incredibly
beautiful architecturally.”
That kind of success is what led NewTown being
named as a recipient for the Great American Main
Street in 2024, recognizing it and Macon for their success in preservation-based commercial district revitalization. NewTown itself added more some 400 of those
housing units and, thanks to their efforts, the private
sector has filled in with another 500. The demand was
there, but it took NewTown’s work to prove it.
“NewTown Macon exemplifies the importance
of growing from within and investing in local human
capital, leadership and pride in community,” says Erin
Barnes, president and CEO at Main Street America. “From generational wealth building programs to
pride of place initiatives, NewTown Macon offers an
impressive model that centers the needs, desires, and
dreams of locals.”
Building a Foundation
Stephen Adams is the executive director of the
Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority (MBCIA).
Since Adams took over as the executive director, more
than $3 billion has been invested in the community.
ArcelorMittal Building Solutions announced in June
that it is establishing its North American headquarters and a new manufacturing facility in Macon-Bibb
County. With an initial investment of some $57 million,
