Macon Enhancement Authority hosts construction job fair

February 20, 2017

Joi Dukes,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Macon Enhancement Authority will host a President’s Day job fair for residents interested in construction work on the Pleasant Hill Mitigation Plan.

The Pleasant Hill Mitigation Plan’s goal is to make the interchange between I-75 and I-16 safer to drivers by widening the space.

It’ll take place from 10 AM to 4 PM today, and they will be accepting applications of anyone interested through out the day.
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MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Monday was a day off for most, but not Macon Bibb’s Community Enhancement Authority.

The authority teamed up with the Frank Austin Center to host a job fair for residents interested in working on a big construction project close to home–the Pleasant Hill Mitigation Plan.

The large turn out was a pleasant surprise for Chairman of Macon’s Community Enhancement Authority, James Beverly.

“We thought maybe twenty or thirty people would show up. Well as of right now, I think we’re at 180 people (today). 150 people already applied and then people called who (couldn’t) get here,” he recalled.

Job fair attendee, Frederick Fountain, says he wants to use his experience in building development for a cause he’d feel a direct impact from–rebuilding his neighborhood.

“I’ve already been doing construction for 26 years or better so, I’m just out here trying to help the community,” he added.

The Pleasant Hill Mitigation Plan is separated into seven phases over the next five to seven years.

Phase one was relocating seven abandoned properties from the east side of town to make room for widening the intersection between I-75 and I-16.

Beverly believes the high attendance was a great sign. He says tackling issues in Macon, like poverty and unemployment, starts with creating opportunities for residents.

“What it shows is there’s a work force in Bibb County that is absolutely ready to work right now. They just need opportunities,” he continued.

Beverly says workers’ wages will vary depending on job experience, but $12.50 an hour is the base income amount.