Macon-Bibb Commission July 18, 2023

The Macon-Bibb County Commission denied alcohol licenses for three local convenience stores during its July 18 meeting at City Hall, and clarified and tightened alcohol licensing requirements for food marts not selling fuel. Those stores will now be mandated to have specific quantities of fresh food for sale to qualify for an alcohol license. Commissioners also got an update on millions of dollars in projected savings after energy upgrades and technology tweaks to the county's major public buildings and facilities. The county approved Piedmont Mining to proceed with the 600-foot runway expansion at Middle Georgia Regional Airport and welcomed summer interns who are learning more about government operations. The county also designated July as Black, Indigenous, People of Color Mental Health Awareness Month and honored Special Olympics World Games bronze medalist James Thigpen, who trained at Lake Tobesofkee for the international sailing competition last month in Berlin, Germany. Here are highlights of the meeting through tweets summarizing discussion of agenda items.