Federal Budget Cuts Will Impact Bibb County

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Sequestration. It’s a big word that has a $1.2 trillion dollar impact on federal programs across the nation, and it’s not just affecting Robins Air Force Base.

The automatic budget cuts kicked in on Friday. They not only have an impact on the base, but Bibb County is already feeling the pain as well.

Civilian employees at Robins Air Force Base can expect 22 furlough days and a loss of pay because of the sequester, but it’s not just Department of Defense employees that will be affected.

21st Century Partnership President Major General (retired) Robert McMahon says the budget cuts effect all federal programs, from postal carriers, to the Federal Aviation Authority, and TSA workers. McMahon says there are many active and retired federal employees here in Bibb County. If you were to add up all their income, McMahon says you get about $330million dollars a year that’s spent in Middle Georgia.

“All of our employees will have less discretionary spending which then has a secondary and tertiary impact throughout the community,” McMahon said. “Restaurants, clothing stores, movie theaters, car dealers…all will begin to feel some impact if they haven’t already.”

McMahon says as a region we must come together and support those affected by the budget cuts.

The 21st Century Partnership is hosting a “Community Sequestration Update” on Wednesday and 41 NBC will be there. Watch the News at 6 Wednesday for the latest.