Macon Recognized as One of the ‘Top 10 Metro Cities’ for Economic Growth and Investment

The Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority (MBCIA) is celebrating Macon-Bibb County’s recent recognition as one of Site Selection Magazine’s “Top 10 Metro Cities” for 2024. The ranking highlights the area’s economic achievements and the ability to attract new business investments, further solidifying Macon’s status as a leading city for economic growth.

This distinction comes on the heels of recent expansions by local businesses, including First Quality Baby Products and Irving Tissue. These developments contributed to Macon-Bibb County surpassing $1 billion in private investment for 2024, a milestone that underscores the area’s continued economic vitality.

MBCIA Chairman Robby Fountain expressed pride in the achievement, stating, “We couldn’t have achieved this ranking without the strength of our industries, whose continued investment and expansion bring new jobs and opportunities to the people of Macon-Bibb County.”

Macon Mayor Lester Miller also praised the designation, saying, “This prestigious designation serves as undeniable proof that we have a dynamic and rapidly growing economic landscape of national attention. Macon is a place brimming with opportunity for industries, businesses, and people, one where we can play a pivotal role in our economy and community as a whole.”

The ranking places Macon-Bibb among the top-performing mid-sized metro areas, based on the number of corporate facility investment projects per capita, tracked by the Conway Projects Database. Macon-Bibb is classified as a Tier 2 Metro city, which includes populations between 200,000 and 1 million, as defined by the Census Bureau. Key factors for the ranking included total projects, with qualifying investments requiring at least $1 million, 20,000 square feet of new or expanded facility space, or the creation of at least 20 jobs.

Gary Bechtel, Chairman of the Macon Water Authority, highlighted the area’s strong infrastructure, saying, “At the Macon Water Authority, we take great pride in providing reliable, high-quality infrastructure that supports economic growth while delivering the best-tasting water in North America. Access to clean, award-winning water is just one of the many reasons Macon-Bibb continues to stand out as a top destination for growth and opportunity.”

To learn more about success stories in Macon-Bibb County click here.