MACON, Ga. – Good news for Central Georgia: Economists expect overall positive trends for the local and state economy.
In fact, the folks at the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia said Macon's economy is stable and Warner Robins is on track to “outperform the U.S. economy.”
As the state's premier economic forecast series began Thursday at the Macon Centreplex, business partners and community leaders from across Central Georgia gathered over lunch to learn how the year's economy will impact us.
The Selig Center for Economic Growth at the Terry College of Business provides economic forecasting data and analysis.
Dean Benjamin C. Ayers provided the state forecast; Keynote speaker Greg George, associate professor of economics and director of the Center for Economic Analysis at Middle Georgia State University, delivered the 2024 economic forecast for the Macon region.
They say Macon's stability is thanks to “a focus on transportation and logistics, financial services, higher education and health care.”
As a health hub for Central Georgia, experts say this is a benefit to the economy.
Experts expect positive employment prospects due to new jobs.
But one thing that's holding Macon back, experts say, is the lack of high-tech jobs.
They said that's because graduates of colleges in the area tend to move away.
Mayor Lester Miller, a Maconian native, said it has always been a challenge.
“We have been focused in recent years on getting kids into college and career academies,” Miller said. “To let them know that they can have some good paying jobs here in Macon without having to leave the country. It’s just an educational process, we’re starting to see the tide turn.”
The experts also told us what they saw in the crystal ball for Warner Robins' future.
The Warner Robins Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) includes Houston, Peach and Pulaski counties.
“As the economy of Warner Robins and Central Georgia continues to grow, it is attracting more and more people and sending the message – and it is important that people understand this – that this is a great place to live, work, play and pray. “Joseph Richardson said.
Richardson owns Access Leadership, a consulting firm in Warner Robins.
As a retiree from Robins Air Force Base, he looks forward to seeing it grow.
As usual, RAFB serves as an economic engine for the region.
It is the largest employer in central Georgia, where about 24,500 military personnel and civilians work, according to the MSA outlook report.
According to the report, “The base will benefit from new high-tech missions known as the Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS), which will bring significantly higher military and civilian salaries. These new high-tech missions utilize satellite and space-based technologies.” “Coordinating the use of military assets will boost high-tech employment in the metropolitan area, which bodes well for growth and, over time, the skill levels of the local Workforce will improve.”
Experts across the country assume that new jobs will be created this year.
“Not just Houston County, but Peach and Twiggs and the other surrounding counties. It would be nice to see us all grow together and support the regionalism that is so needed here,” said Michael Collins.
Collins is chairman of the Robins Regional Chamber and CEO of Total Computer Solutions.
As a Warner Robins native, he looks forward to continued collaborative efforts among Central Georgia residents.
“We are excited! It’s an exciting time, it’s a time of growth,” Collins said.
For more information and to register for the Georgia Economic Outlook tour series, visit www.terry.uga.edu/eo.
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