More middle Georgians are turning to The Salvation Army for food and shelter.

"If another 10 people, 10 women or women and families came to the Salvation Army we would have to look at some emergency set up," says Major David Cope.

According to Cope, there's a new kind of homeless community. 

"We're living in emergency times for low income workers, people who have traditionally worked but because there are no jobs these people are now having to come to the Salvation Army." 

Latalia Nicholls has a similar story. She started off as an employee of The Salvation Army, until she found herself in a bind.

"I was going through a little hard time because I was strapped for cash and me and my significant other were struggling and I was living in a hotel." 

Nicholls kept her job and also became a resident.

The Salvation Army also gave a second chance to Ericka West, a former drug addict. 

"This was the only rehab that was willing to take me," says West.

She hopes to complete the rehab program in six months.

"It's teaching me work ethics, having to get up early, and having to be somewhere at a certain time, and having to deal with authority and I've never had that."   

Cope says the Salvation Army will never enable anyone, instead it's job is to reach out and give a hand up.

Earlier today, Birch Communications announced a newly acquired company from Florida will bring 50 jobs from the Phillippines to the United States. Half of them will be located right here in Macon. President and CEO, Vincent Oddo, says this new acquisition will help Birch insource their resources, and create jobs here instead of overseas.

"We like being here, we like the workforce that is here we've been here 15 years we certainly want to support it, we want to do everything we can to support it."

The Macon Branch of Birch Communications is the largest operation in the country with around 250 employees. They expect to begin hiring more people as early as October.

Downtown Fort Valley is making a comeback, and Aarons is the driving force.

"It's the best deal, no one can beat our prices, because we really want to get our customers in the store," says General Manager, Barry Simmons.

That's the main goal at Aarons, a home furnishing superstore. It's where you can find everything from furniture to kitchen appliances.

If the phrase "credit doesn't matter here", doesn't catch your ear, then perhaps their hundred dollar deal will.

"If you come in here we'll match that price, or if we can't beat it we'll give you a hundred dollars cash," says Simmons.

Keeping their customers coming back for more isn't the only reason Aarons is quickly becoming a town favorite.

Simmons says he loves being a part of the Fort Valley community. Any time there's a big school or community event he's more than happy to lend or lease out a big screen television.

You can purchase any item in the store using the lease to own concept that Aaron's is famous for. Customers can put little to no money down on their purchase and pay for their items on a monthly or weekly payment plan.

"A lot of people are experiencing problems with the economy, that credit is a problem," says Simmons.

So Aaron's provides a less expensive option for keeping homes up-to-date with the best home essentials on the market.

"Right now we're doing well, and we're hoping to continue to grow."

A booming business that's boosting the local economy, and putting more feet on the street in downtown Fort Valley.