Investing $13.4 million in Middle Georgia Regional Airport’s new guitar-shaped corporate terminal will not only spotlight Macon’s music heritage, but county leaders are banking on it being an invaluable economic catalyst for future development and additional tax revenue.
Tuesday evening, the Macon-Bibb County Commission approved Sheridan Construction’s multimillion-dollar contract for the one-of-its-kind, two-story facility that will present a unique first impression for companies scouting the region.
In 2023, the county took over as the airport’s Fixed Base Operator, or FBO, to handle refueling and maintenance of private planes and eventually replace the old executive terminal previously run by Lowe Aviation.
The Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority serves as the funding conduit for the construction bonds, which will be paid back from airport proceeds.
County Aviation Director Doug Faour called it not only an airport project but a community project due to the expected economic benefit.
“This is an iconic project,” Faour told commissioners. “This is probably going to be the most unique FBO in this country.”
The outer edges of both stories of the building will be adorned with what looks like piano keys. Travelers coming in from the parking lot will be shielded by the overhead fretboard fashioned from Georgia timber over the walkway. Those arriving from the air will see six metal bars mimicking guitar strings along the entrance from the taxiway.
Faour is most excited about the LED lighting that will illuminate the guitar at night for the tens of thousands of people who pass by on the heavily traveled air corridor from Atlanta to Florida.
“I think it’s safe to say they’ll know where Macon is when they see this guitar,” Faour said.
“High Note Aviation” will have a second floor restaurant with outdoor seating overlooking the airport.
“High Note represents the ability to do something really good,” Faour explained.
He wants Macon to hit the high notes of first-class service so that visitors leave the city on a high note.
The county is expanding the runway to lure larger jets, and also accepted a $5.5 million dollar grant from the Georgia Department of Transportation to build T-shaped hangars and expand the road. Commissioners agreed to a local match of up to $1.8 million to secure those state funds.
Mayor Lester Miller said the county’s main airport which provides passenger service to the Washington, D.C., area through Contour Airlines, already has a waiting list for private airplane storage. He sees the new hangars as a revenue generator.
Not only will the county receive lease payments but planes housed there will contribute to the tax base through ad valorem taxes. Individual planes worth $20M to $40M can contribute up to $300K a year in taxes, he said.
MBCIA Executive Director Stephen Adams, who was present for approval of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes agreement for the Irving Tissue expansion, said the airport renovations will be a great marketing tool when competing with other communities for big business and industry.
“A lot of what we do in the business recruitment world and site selection circles is absolutely, that is the first and sometimes only gateway that some of the prospects that we work with see,” Adams said. “This will do wonders for that first impression.”
Commissioner Bill Howell, who is a pilot, agreed.
“This is something that is going to make Macon proud and put us on the map,” Howell said.
SPLOST spending, shelter grants
Tuesday’s meeting also allocated 2018 SPLOST funds to contractors for Phase 2 of recreation center renovations first proposed in the 2012 SPLOST which funded Phase 1.
In Unionvillle, Frank Johnson Recreation Center is getting a little more than $2 million to add onto the building with a new workout room, renovate ballfields, enhance the pool deck and expand parking.
A $1.1 million renovation at Memorial Park Gym will include exterior upgrades, work on the pool, lighting, a multipurpose ballfield, pickleball and basketball courts.
Filmore Thomas Park is slated for a new open pavilion, bathroom, splash pad repairs and improved drainage.
Commissioners also freed up nearly $462,000 leftover from completed projects that can be allocated to similar projects in the coming months.
As the county campaigns for the 2025 SPLOST renewal, commissioners also approved a new 5-year, $172,000 annual contract for SPLOST project coordinator Clay Murphey to continue on in that role if the measure passes March 18.
More than $148,000 in Emergency Solutions Grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for shelter for the unhoused will be divided among United Way of Central Georgia, the Economic Opportunity Council, Family Advancement Ministries and Crisis Line & Safe House of Central Georgia.
Commissioners also approved seven new appointments to the Friends of Rosa Parks Square Board to replace those whose terms have expired, added three members to the Fire Department’s Civil Service Board to oversee promotions and hiring, and signed off on Robert Abbot and Barbara Boyer serving as Republican representatives on the Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections.
The county also accepted a donation of about a dozen bike racks and bus stop seats from Bike Walk Macon.
Here are highlights of other actions taken Tuesday captured in social media posts during the meeting.
— Civic Journalism Senior Fellow Liz Fabian covers Macon-Bibb County government entities for The Macon Newsroom and can be reached at fabian_lj@mercer.edu or 478-301-2976.
