MACON, Ga. — The Eisenhower Business Improvement District has made progress in the three-plus years of its existence.
More than $900,000 has gone into making Macon's Eisenhower Corridor more attractive to businesses. That money comes from a self-imposed, one percent sales tax.
"The businesses have been helpful. They've imposed this one cent sales tax on themselves to improve that area, and I think people can start to see the improvements of that area," said Macon-Bibb County Mayor Pro Tem Al Tillman.
Improvements came in the form of landscaping to remove brush and trees along Eisenhower Parkway and increase visibility of businesses from the street.
"With the support of DOT, we've cleaned up that entire corridor from exit 3 on I-475 all the way down to Oglesby," Tillman said.
Visibility is one of the main priorities of the Eisenhower BID, but they also improve safety for businesses with Bibb County law enforcement and provide marketing. Tillman says they've been a big help in attracting businesses like Wendy's and Cookout along the Eisenhower Corridor.
More improvements are on the way. 29 new streetlights will be placed along Eisenhower Parkway and a roundabout and new entryway will be coming to Middle Georgia State University's campus.
The better the corridor looks and the safer it is, the more likely businesses will move in to replace those that have left like Target and the Aspire business which, Tillman said, will not be opening.
"They're looking to improve the area so it looks more attractive, so businesses will come into the area and businesses that are already in the area will stay and not move out," Tillman said. "Those folks on that side of town are looking for the same amenities that other sides of town have."