What Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority does

Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority (MBCIA) is a quasi-governmental economic development authority established in 1962 by the State of Georgia to promote industrial growth in Macon-Bibb County. It serves as the county's primary industrial recruitment, retention, and workforce-development organization, operating from 439 Mulberry St., Macon. Its functional remit spans site selection facilitation, incentive coordination (notably the PILOT program), infrastructure support, international outreach to Japan (since 1974 via YKK, with a Kurobe sister-city relationship established in 1977) and Canada, and partnership engagement with the Georgia Department of Economic Development. The Authority is governed by a Board chaired by Robby Fountain with executive leadership from Stephen Adams and a core operating staff of approximately 5–10 people.

Name

Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority

Legal name

Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority

Website

https://mbcia.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

The Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority is a quasi-governmental economic development organization, established in 1962, that attracts business investment, retains and expands existing industries, and develops workforce pipelines for Macon-Bibb County, Georgia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Administration of General Economic Programs (92611), Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (926150), Corporate, Subsidiary, and Regional Managing Offices (551114)

SIC

Non-Operating Establishments (9995), Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531), Operators Of Nonresidential Buildings (6512)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Industrial Park Owners Association Management (BPAJAHAH)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Industrial site selection
• Tax incentive programs
• Workforce development
• Industrial park management

Headquarters

HQ city

Macon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) Program: The PILOT Program is a local tax incentive that encourages businesses to invest in the community and create jobs. In return for their commitment, participating companies receive structured property tax discounts tied to investment levels and job creation. More than $18 million has been reinvested into Macon-Bibb County since 2017 through this program. The PILOT Program saw a 7% increase in participation in FY25.
2. Bond Financing: The MBCIA issues bonds to support industrial expansions and development projects, including approvals for projects like Coca-Cola Bottling Co. UNITED's $80 million expansion and Amazon's fulfillment center.
3. State and Federal Grant Programs: Partnership with Georgia Quick Start workforce training program and coordination with Georgia Department of Economic Development for project incentives.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority (MBCIA) is a quasi-governmental economic development authority that facilitates business investment, job creation, and industrial growth in Macon-Bibb County, Georgia. Its core offerings include industrial site selection assistance via a GIS property portal, the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) incentive program, bond financing for industrial expansions, workforce development coordination through the Advanced Manufacturing Pathway Program, and management of industrial parks including the Ocmulgee East Industrial Park and its 780-acre Phase 3 expansion.

Product overview

The Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority (MBCIA) is an economic development organization, not a commercial product company. It offers a suite of economic development services including workforce development programs, industrial site certification support, tax incentive programs, and site selection tools. The Advanced Manufacturing Pathway Program (AMPPed) provides technical training in partnership with local educational institutions. The Authority also supports industrial sites through the Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) certification process and administers the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) incentive program. An interactive GIS-based site selection platform assists companies in identifying suitable industrial properties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Advanced Manufacturing Pathway Program (AMPPed) A workforce development initiative in partnership with the Bibb County School District, Central Georgia Technical College, and Middle Georgia State University that equips students with technical skills and hands-on experience in advanced manufacturing, robotics, and engineering to prepare them for careers with local industries.
• Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) Program A local tax incentive program that encourages businesses to invest in the community and create jobs through structured property tax discounts tied to investment levels and job creation. More than $18 million has been reinvested into Macon-Bibb County since 2017 through this program, which saw a 7% increase in participation in FY25.
• Industrial Site Selection Services Interactive GIS-based site selection platform (maconbibb.giswebtechguru.com) enabling companies to browse and evaluate industrial properties, available sites, and infrastructure in Macon-Bibb County. Combined with direct project management support from MBCIA staff and the vendor directory at portal.mbcia.com.
• GRAD Site Certification Support Assistance and support for industrial sites to obtain Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) certification from the Georgia Department of Economic Development, verifying that sites meet state-level standards for utilities, environmental assessments, permitting, and infrastructure. Awarded for Airport East Industrial Park and Interstate 75 Business Park.
• Industrial Park Management (Ocmulgee East, Airport East, I-75 Business Park) Management and development of major industrial parks in Macon-Bibb County including Ocmulgee East Industrial Park (with new 780-acre Phase 3 expansion along I-16), Airport East Industrial Park, and Interstate 75 Business Park. Includes site readiness, infrastructure coordination, and ongoing tenant support.
• Industrial Bond Financing Bond issuance to support industrial expansions and development projects in Macon-Bibb County, including project approvals such as Coca-Cola Bottling Co. UNITED's $80 million expansion and Amazon's fulfillment center financing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $3.26 billion in private investment since 2017
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2026State-level project managers guide companies through site options and connect them with local EDAs. The MBCIA hosts annual Appreciation Luncheons for GDEcD project managers to showcase Macon-Bibb's assets, infrastructure, and long-term site plans.
• Georgia PowercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2026Utility partner providing insight into capacity and long-term service planning for industrial sites. Participates in Project Manager Appreciation Luncheons.
• Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2026Professional association for networking, professional development, and public policy engagement. MBCIA Executive Director Stephen Adams serves as board member; participates in GEDA Day at the Capitol.
• SEUS JapancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Southeast U.S./Japan Conference - 47th annual international partnership program. MBCIA participates to build relationships with Japanese companies and strengthen connections with established local Japanese investors like YKK and Nichiha.
• SEUS CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Southeast U.S./Canada partnership program. MBCIA Executive Director Stephen Adams attended to strengthen connections with Canadian-based Irving Tissue and position the community within broader global manufacturing conversations.
• City of Macon-Bibb CountycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Under Mayor Lester Miller's leadership, the city partners on PILOT program, Urban Development Authority collaboration, Technology and Innovation Academy building acquisition, and infrastructure improvements.
• Bibb County School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaboration on workforce development including Advanced Manufacturing Pathway Program, Community Developers Program (CD2), W.S. Hutchings College and Career Academy, and Technology and Innovation Academy.
• Greater Macon Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Annual awards sponsorship, Industry of the Year recognition, FLEX Competition sponsorship, State of the Community event co-sponsorship, and Macon Day at the Capitol organization.
• Georgia Quick StartcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Georgia's workforce training program providing customized training solutions for new and expanding industries. Used for First Quality expansion and other major projects.
• Central Georgia Technical CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Educational partner in workforce development pathway programs. Partnership on Advanced Manufacturing Pathway and career readiness initiatives.
• Electric Cities of GeorgiaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Utility partner participating in Project Manager Appreciation Luncheons, providing insight into electrical capacity for industrial development.
• Georgia EMC (Electric Membership Corporation)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Utility partner participating in economic development events and providing power infrastructure information for site selection.
• Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative (ONPPI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership for protecting Ocmulgee Corridor natural beauty and cultural assets while advancing economic development. MBCIA received 2025 Economic Steward Award from ONPPI.
• Macon Water AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Infrastructure partner providing water and wastewater services to industrial parks. Undertaking 10 million gallon capacity expansion. Partner on Bob's Discount Furniture groundbreaking.
• Kurobe, Japan (Sister City)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1977Official sister city relationship since 1977, including hospital exchange program with Atrium Health Navicent (20+ years), annual Japanese high school student exchanges, and ongoing city official visits.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Spartanburg Economic Development Group: County-level economic development authority serving Spartanburg County, South Carolina, a Southeast regional peer of MBCIA focused on attracting automotive suppliers, advanced manufacturers, and logistics operations.
• Pinellas County Economic Development: County-level economic development authority in Florida pursuing industrial and manufacturing investment on the Gulf Coast, with a comparable mandate of site selection, incentives, and workforce alignment.
• Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA): County-level industrial authority serving Savannah, Georgia, competing directly with MBCIA for Southeast U.S. industrial investment projects, particularly those tied to the Port of Savannah logistics corridor.
• Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce - Economic Development: Regional economic development organization for the Chattanooga, Tennessee metro, competing with MBCIA for industrial facility investments in the I-75 corridor and broader Southeast U.S. manufacturing footprint.
• Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC): County-level economic development organization serving Greenville County, South Carolina, frequently competing with Macon-Bibb for advanced manufacturing, automotive, and aerospace facility investments in the Southeast.
• Cobb County Economic Development: Local economic development authority serving Cobb County in metropolitan Atlanta, comparable to MBCIA as a Georgia-based county-level industrial authority pursuing similar manufacturer recruitment and expansion projects.

Broad incumbents

• Alabama Department of Commerce: State-level economic development agency that competes with Georgia/MBCIA for Southeast automotive, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing projects through site selection support and incentive programs.
• Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD): State-level economic development agency that coordinates with MBCIA on project incentives and serves as a broader incumbent across all Georgia counties, offering overlapping capabilities but at a statewide scale.

Others

• Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce: Local chamber partner of MBCIA that co-sponsors the Industry of the Year award, State of the Community, and Macon Day at the Capitol, providing complementary business community engagement in the same geography.
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Aerospace Alliance partners): Major regional infrastructure and aerospace hub partner for site selection in the Southeast, broadly comparable in function as a regional economic anchor that complements MBCIA's aerospace recruitment initiatives.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MBCIAuthority
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@macon-bibbcountyindustrial8670
• Facebookfacebook.com/MBCIAuthority
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mbciauthority
• Instagraminstagram.com/mbciauthority

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority