Latest Recipients of the 478 Bibb Fund

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 4, 2013 Media Contact: Jessica Walden, (478) 301-2014 or jessica@collegehillmacon.com 478 Bibb Fund Awards Micro-Grant to Hometown Yoga Additional Grants Awarded to Digidot Mobile App and Macon Disc Golf Club MACON – Local entrepreneurs Rachel Sabbath Gerrity and Ashley Dunwody were recently awarded a $2,000 micro-grant by the 478 Bibb Fund. Gerrity and Dunwody own new business Hometown Yoga, a local yoga studio slated to open on Monday, December 9.

The 478 Bibb Fund, established by a group of local entrepreneurs and business leaders, was designed to spur innovation and entrepreneurship in the Central Georgia. Gerrity and Dunwody applied for the funding for finishing touches on their new business, which includes lighting and signage for their storefront on Forsyth Road.

“It continues to excite us as a group to see young, creative entrepreneurs ready put their ideas into action, passion into business and talents to work in Macon,” said 478 Bibb Fund Founder Stewart Vernon, founder and CEO of America’s Swimming Pool Company (ASP).

“Having both been born and raised in Macon, we are so excited to open a yoga studio in a place that we love so much,” added Ashley Dunwody. “To be supported in this venture by the 478 Bibb Fund means a great deal to us, and the grant money they have provided will fulfill our dream of creating a vibrant yoga community in Macon.”

In addition to Hometown Yoga, two other grants were awarded. The recipients were Joshua Newby of the Digidot Mobile App to assist with development and an upcoming Kickstarter campaign, and John Harrison of the Macon Disc Golf Club for tee signs and water coolers at the Bowden Disc Golf Course.

The 478 Bibb Fund launched in April 2013 and continues to receive applications from local residents. Its first recipients were entrepreneurs Jeremy Knowles and Cory Smith of the Macon Beer Company, who received $2,000 to help renovate the taproom and beer garden. The microgrant remains open to all individuals and organizations in the Central Georgia region and is currently accepting applications on its website 478bibbfund.com. The group takes no equity and doesn’t expect repayment, a stake in the idea or any other compensation post-award. According to the site, the leaders who established the grants simply “want to help great ideas become reality.”

In an effort to work regionally and develop a plan to foster entrepreneurs, the College Hill Alliance is promoting the 478 Bibb Fund and other micro-grant organizations in the Central Georgia region. The Alliance can also help individuals and organizations establish their own micro-granting program to foster local entrepreneurship.

For more information, contact Jessica Walden at the College Hill Alliance: 478.301.2014 / jessica@collegehillmacon.com. ###