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Macon-Bibb leaders are launching a $50 million road repaving initiative supported by the county's March SPLOST renewal.

MACON, Ga. — Macon-Bibb county is shifting gears to repave $50 million worth of roads across the area.

The investment is being made possible primarily through the recent renewal of the county's Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) in March, which was approved by nearly 83% of voters.

The SPLOST, along with support from the county's general fund and LMIG will each contribute to the county's next phase of their "Paving the Way" program.

The program launched in 2023 with $15 million from the general fund, SPLOST, and state grants.

On Monday, Mayor Miller and county commissioners gathered at City Hall to announce the investment, just weeks after Miller previewed a $25 million bond that will be on the commission's agenda this month.

"We can't continue to pave, 6 to 10 miles of roads per year and pat ourselves on the back like something's been done. We have to be more aggressive than that," Miller said. "Part of our program was to go big and go big in Macon means we're going to go for 25, 30, 40 miles of roads, 50 miles of roads per year. But it's going to take us working together."

The Office of Small Business Affairs is actively recruiting vendors to fuel this next chapter of road improvements, which will start with resurfacing roads like Goodall Mill in South Bibb.

Harold and Cindy Etheridge, who live on Goodall Mill, moved into their home when it was still a dirt road. They also remember when it was first paved in the 90s.

But over the years, more and more drivers have attempted to dodge bumps and potholes.

"They tried to patch it for years, it did not work," Harold said. "It's just not necessary to keep a road that's this busy in that condition."

The damage has been done on many cars and trucks that frequently ride through the residential route, including vehicles owned by neighbor Kyle Forbes.

"It's not nice when I'm replacing things on my own vehicle when I live on this road," Forbes said. "Yesterday I just had to go put a rim on it because it bent the rim and I had a flat tire."

Ann Bryant says she drives through at least once or twice a day, but the increase in traffic from travelers off of I-75 remains evident.

"Since they opened the exits on Sardis Church road for the interstate. We have a lot more through traffic," Bryant said. "And they speed by faster than they should."

There's no official date yet set for Goodall Mill's repaving. Interested vendors can apply here to be part of the county's program.

Dr. Lonzy Edwards was a Bibb County commissioner from 2007 to 2013

MACON, Ga. — The Bibb County community gathered today at Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Lonzy Edwards, a beloved pastor, attorney and former Bibb County commissioner.

Edwards, who passed away nine years ago at the age of 67, was remembered for his unwavering commitment to service and justice.

During the ceremony, attendees unveiled a new street sign renaming Millerfield Road as 'Reverend Doctor Lonzy Edwards Way.'

This tribute recognizes Edwards' contributions to the community, including his tenure as a county commissioner from 2007 to 2013 and his role as pastor at Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church.

The dedication was initiated by Commissioner Elaine Lucas, who introduced the ordinance in February 2024 to honor Edwards' memory.

Edwards' wife, Nancy Edwards, said she was grateful for the community's support.

"My boys and I are grateful that you have shown up today to rejoice with us and say thank you to the community for recalling a life that was spent trying to do his best to make this community all that it was capable of," Edwards said.

In addition to the street renaming, Edwards was previously honored in 2017 when Fire Station 22 in East Macon was dedicated in his name, recognizing his advocacy for improved public safety in the area.

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After celebrating Macon's bicentennial, Miller focused on a question: How will this era of Macon's history be viewed 100 years from now during its tricentennial?

MACON, Ga. — From the Ramada hotel implosion to the Atrium Health Ampitheater to a declining homicide rate, Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller outlined his successes at the 2025 Macon-Bibb State of the Community address.

But much of Miller's speech Tuesday at the Macon City Auditorium was focused on the future.

Miller says that fresh off celebrating Macon-Bibb County's bicentennial, he made the tricentennial a throughline of his speech: how people will view this time in Macon's history 100 years from now?

"We are here today at the start of the next 100 years," Miller said. "This is a moment in time that the future mayor, future commissions and community will study and reference for years to come."

He says that the county is undergoing a "transformational change" — and the efforts are happening fast. It's why he walked out to the song "Life in the Fast Lane" by the Eagles.

"We are at a crossroads in time," Miller said. "It's not just one moment, but it's many moments, and every decision we make is setting the directions of our community for the next two, four, eight, 25, 50, 100 years."

In the same way that downtown Macon has fundamentally changed — from the neglect of over 10 years ago to its vibrancy today — Miller forecasts that Atrium Health Amphitheater and other institutions such as Middle Georgia State University will help revitalize west Macon-Bibb County.

Miller also points to development efforts in East Macon, including long-running efforts to make the Ocmulgee National Mounds a U.S. National Park.

"When we have the right people in the right places to make historic change to create historic growth and put us on self self-sustaining path towards being the strongest city and state in the Southeast," Miller said.

While much of the speech was focused on the future, Miller did delve into some major projects he says are already in the works or soon to begin at the start of his second term in office.

Some centered on affordable housing. He announced efforts to build new houses around the Brookdale Resource Center to help ease people from homelessness into homes.

He also looked ahead to new affordable housing in Pleasant Hill and across the county through the Macon-Bibb County Affordable Housing Fund.

Many of those details, Miller said, will be announced in the coming months.

Miller also noted improvements to Lake Tobesofkee as part of a broader effort.

"Envisioning a whole new era of recreation, camping and more Lake Tobesofkee," Miller said. "It's already a gem in our life, but we have a chance right now to show it off to the rest of the world."

After the SPLOST was passed by Macon-Bibb County voters, Miller says he plans to ask commissioners to approve $25 million in bonds to pave hundreds of miles of roads — part of the county's Paving the Way program.

Miller framed the project as 25 years of road repairs in just four years.

He also pitched the prospect of building a new Macon Coliseum and a new convention center to lure more events, concerts and conferences to Macon-Bibb County.

Miller also talked about new carriers possibly coming to the Middle Georgia Regional Airport and building a guitar-shaped terminal to reflect Macon's musical history.

"It's been a fast four years, but I stand here ready for more, whether it's two, four or eight, because of we're not done yet. And it's about to get even faster at a faster pace," Miller said. "Give me faith. The vision for the future will be realized because you have already met."

Miller floated the idea of giving the mayor another four-year term. Miller proposed the idea and the commission approved it, but since it would be a change to the Macon-Bibb charter, it requires legislative approval. However, that did not pass this legislative session.

WATCH: Macon-Bibb Mayor Lester Miller State of Community speech

1. GENERAL A. Invitation Notice is hereby given that Macon-Bibb County will receive seal bid responses to the Request for Proposals firms to provide Hurricane Evacuation Sheltering Services for Macon-Bibb County (original plus 3 copies and Flash Drive) in the Procurement Department, 700 Poplar Street, Suite 308, Macon, Georgia 31201, until 12:00 o’clock NOON at the time legally prevailing in Macon, Georgia on Thursday, May 29, 2025, for Emergency Shelter and Staffing Services for Macon- Bibb County.

NO LATE RESPONSES WILL BE CONSIDERED

The names of responding firms will be publicly read on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. in the Macon-Bibb County Procurement Department Conference Room, located at 700 Poplar Street, Suite 308, Macon, Ga 31201.

B. Definitions Wherever the term “Owner”, “County”, or “Macon-Bibb County” occur in this document, it shall mean Macon-Bibb County, a political subdivision of the State of Georgia acting through the Macon-Bibb County Board of Commissioners.

C. Solicitation Documents

Bid documents may be examined and obtained on Macon-Bibb County website to be viewed and downloaded from one of the links included below: Georgia Procurement Registry website http://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/PRSapp/PR_custom_index.jsp?agency=61100 Macon-Bibb County Procurement Page www.maconbibb.us/purchasing

D. Pre-Bid

A pre-bid conference is scheduled for 10:00 o’clock a.m., Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in the Procurement Department, 700 Poplar Street, 3rd Floor, Suite 308, Macon, Georgia 31201. This is a Mandatory this pre- bid is mandatory; contractor must be present in order to submit a response. Deadline to submit questions will be Friday, May 9, 2025, by 3:00 p.m. standard eastern time. All questions must be emailed to lhardwick@maconbibb.us

E. Insurance Requirements

Insurance coverage shall be carried with an insurance company licensed to do business in the State of Georgia. All coverages should be written with insurance companies with a Best Rating of A or better. Insurance shall be obtained prior to commencement of work and shall remain in force throughout the period of the contract. Macon-Bibb County shall be named as additional insured on the policy. Workers’ Compensation: Statutory Errors and Omission: $1,000,000 General Liability: $1,000,000

II. Submittals Responses must be sealed and identified on the outside of the package as and delivered to

‘25-045-LH’

Hurricane Evacuation Sheltering Services Macon-Bibb County Procurement Department 700 Poplar Street Suite 308 Macon, Georgia 31201 Telephone: (478) 803-0550

25-045-LH Hurricane Evacuation Sheltering Services-RFP

25-045-LH Attachment A

25-045-LH, Attachment B Shelter Logistics Scope of Work

25-045-LH, Addendum-1

24-045-LH, Addendum-2

From the Tubman Museum – The countdown is on for one of Georgia’s most anticipated cultural celebrations—the 29th Annual Pan African Festival of Georgia, taking place April 24–27, 2025, at the iconic Tubman Museum, located at 310 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201.

This year, the festival proudly shines a spotlight on Uganda as the featured country, and we are deeply honored to welcome The Honorable Ambassador Robie Kakonge and her esteemed delegation for a weekend filled with unity, heritage, music, culture, and empowerment.

Festival Highlights:

Thursday, April 24

Prayer & Praise Night at 7:00 p.m., hosted by Hope for the Heart of Georgia. A powerful evening of worship and thanksgiving to kick off the festival.

Friday, April 25

Ambassador’s Reception at 5:30 p.m. (Invitation-only event for Afrocentric Ball Sponsors).

The highly anticipated Afrocentric Ball at 7:00 p.m. featuring:

DJ T-Luv Todd Davis

Blueprint Productions, Kenny Pratt & Soulful DeMarco McDonald

The Ugandan Dance Troupe

Cuisine by A Catered Event and Donie Hogan, plus a Taste of Uganda!

Tickets are available now at www.TubmanMuseum.com—don’t miss this elegant, unforgettable experience!

Saturday, April 26

IT Forum & Breakfast at 10:00 a.m., hosted by Ambassador Kakonge – a must-attend for technology professionals ready to engage with Uganda’s growing tech space.

Opening Ceremonies & Festival Kickoff at 12:00 noon, with a keynote address by Ambassador Kakonge.

A dynamic lineup of performers, including newly announced Mike Clark Jr. with “Auntie Outside”.

NEW: Ugandan After-Party at 9:00 p.m. featuring a Ugandan DJ, live band, and authentic Ugandan cuisine. Tickets are just $10!

Sunday, April 27

Wrap up the weekend with PraiseFest, headlined by the legendary Pastor John P. Kee—an inspiring finale to a soul-stirring weekend.

This festival is more than an event—it’s a movement of culture, connection, and community. We invite everyone to come out and be present all weekend long.

Visit www.TubmanMuseum.com for tickets and more information.