MACON, Ga. — After the death of NewTown Macon president and CEO Josh Rogers, the tributes from Macon leaders all paint a similar picture of his impact on Macon-Bibb County.
Due to his work, the tributes say, the city's downtown urban core looks tremendously different than it did 10 years ago.
Wielding the powers of loans and capital, NewTown Macon helped new businesses open in downtown Macon during his time leading the organization.
Rogers died on Sunday from a cardiac arrest he suffered while in the downtown commercial district he helped revitalize.
Here's a look at the tributes from Macon leaders and visionaries in the aftermath of Rogers' passing.
NEWTOWN MACON
The organization Rogers led, NewTown Macon, remembered the impact of their leader in a press release.
In part, the press release said: "Josh Rogers’ dedication to revitalizing downtown Macon has left an indelible mark on our community. From his beginnings as a college intern at NewTown to his tenure as our leader, Josh’s innovative spirit, compassion, and unwavering commitment to Macon’s success transformed our city.
Under Josh’s leadership, downtown Macon became a thriving, award-winning hub of activity. Locally owned and operated businesses now fill our storefronts, reflecting the rich diversity of our community. Over 1,000 residents live in a safe, walkable urban core, and visitors from near and far are drawn to experience the unique vibrancy of our city.
Beyond his transformative projects, Josh inspired those around him to dream bigger, work harder, and collaborate to achieve extraordinary results. His vision for Macon wasn’t just about buildings or businesses—it was about people, community, and creating a place we are all proud to call home.
Josh showed us that working together brings success. He delivered countless wins for Macon, and our community is better and brighter because of his tireless efforts."
The organization looked to the future. They said the work of the organization will continue to make sure "the momentum he created continues to propel our community forward."
Mayor Lester Miller:
Macon Mayor Lester Miller issued a statement:“Our hearts are with the Rogers family today, as well as with our NewTown Macon and Downtown community, as we grieve the loss of Josh Rogers. He was a true champion for our community, always pushing to make life better for all people.
His leadership and his love of Macon was at the center of our city’s rejuvenation and growth, and he was an inspiration to all who knew him.”
Mercer University President
Mercer University President William Underwood — who also chairs the NewTown Macon Board of Directors — issued a statement remembering Josh Rogers.
“Josh Rogers’ outstanding leadership of NewTown Macon has been a major factor in the amazing revitalization of downtown Macon over the past decade. I am so proud of what he has accomplished. His untimely death is a shock to all of us who knew and worked with him through the years. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Meaghan, his children, Jack and Ellie, and the rest of his family.”
Historic Macon
Rogers once led Historic Macon. Their statement read, in part: "Anyone here who knew Josh marvelled at all that he accomplished... But folks outside Macon came to know of his vision, his can-do attitude and his love of Macon as well. In 2019, for example, Georgia Trend magazine named him one of Georgia’s “40 Under 40” young leaders making their communities better.
He was named NewTown’s president in 2014, where he worked with his team to revitalize downtown Macon and expand the river trail system. During his tenure, he increased storefront occupancy from 56% to 82%, added 360 loft housing units, doubled property values, and drove more than $350 million of public and private investment into downtown Macon, among other accomplishments.
Rogers continued to work closely with the team at Historic Macon, which provided historic tax credit consulting services to many downtown property owners. He was a vocal and effective advocate for those tax incentives."
Neighbor Cary Pickard
In the Historic Macon press release, one of Rogers' neighbors was quoted: "Pickard recalled meeting a former CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation several years ago and, during small talk, he mentioned that he was from Macon. Her face lit up.
“You’re from Macon?” she asked. “Have you ever met Josh Rogers? He is the rock star of the preservation world!”
Rogers “was a genius who could also work with his hands. That’s unusual,” Pickard said. “Building things for his kids and working on his old car are things that delighted him, as did camping with friends and family.”
The remarkable renaissance of downtown Macon and the “unbelievable impact he made on this community” are among Rogers’ legacies, said Pickard, who quoted the epitaph of English architect Christopher Wren in memorializing Rogers:
“If you seek his monument, look around you.”