College Hill is Calling All Makers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 29, 2013 Media Contact: Jessica Walden, (478) 301-2014 or jessica@collegehillmacon.com College Hill Business Focus Incorporates Makers Movement Call for Macon Makers Issued MACON – The College Hill Alliance today launched an open call for people in Macon to join the “Maker Movement,” a growing national network of artisans, craftsmen, small business entrepreneurs and innovators building new, locally-driven economies. Through a survey found on maconmaker.com, the Alliance is collecting the stories of makers who live and work inside Macon.

“Makers are an exciting bunch of people. They are our small business leaders, our artists, our risk-takers. They are driving innovation and, increasingly, the American economy,” said Heather Holder, executive director of the College Hill Alliance. “We know these same types of people are here, thriving, in Macon. We see it every day, in the Corridor and Downtown. It’s time we joined this national movement.”

The Maker Movement is the approximately 135 million adults – 57 percent of the American population ages 18 and up – who employ their creative skills in craft activities, such as making clothing, jewelry, baked goods or art. Financial estimates show that these “makers” push $29 billion into the economy each year. Examples of makers range from computer programmers to wood workers and run the gamut of arts and crafts to engineering and technology.

Makers in Macon are invited to take the online survey about their product and business ideas and share their contact information for opportunities to promote their craft. They can also call the College Hill Alliance office at 478.301.2008 and request a survey.

The College Hill Alliance is seeking Macon Makers as part of its expanded focus to boost entrepreneurship and attract homegrown businesses to Macon’s Downtown and College Hill Corridor.

The call for Macon Makers is open from now until early December. Makers gathered from the survey will be highlighted across social media and web platforms through the holiday giving season. A meeting of Macon Makers will be held in early 2014.

About the College Hill Alliance Initially established with a grant to Mercer University from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation in 2009, the College Hill Alliance assists the community in creating positive change to the physical, social and economic fabric of the College Hill Corridor, a two-square mile area between Mercer’s campus and Macon, Georgia’s downtown business district. For more information, contact Jessica Walden at the College Hill Alliance: 478.301.2014 / jessica@collegehillmacon.com. Visit collegehillmacon.com. ###