Shaw Building in Milledgeville Repurposed for ‘Communiversity’

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MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –After years of sitting empty, a former carpenter facility is being transformed into a ‘communiversity’.

Milledgeville City Council members unanimously approved the resolution to repurpose the former Shaw building into the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Community Business & Arts Development Center. The more than 92,000 square foot vacant plant on South Wayne Street was donated to the city after closing; it’s since served as inspiration for a new innovation center.

Local business owners and community leaders are working to transform it into a one-stop shop for job seekers. The original proposal includes workforce development classes, an art studio, convention center, food incubator, café and a theater. The Milledgeville Players will begin construction on the theater portion this month.

“In order to spur entrepreneurs, they need a place to start,” said Dr. Renee Fontenot, Georgia College Associate Professor of Marketing and ‘Communiversity” organizer, “a ‘communiversity’ would be a place where both education and economic growth foster together, where the community comes together to learn, to work, to advance the goals that are meaningful to the community and the quality of Baldwin County.”

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