From business executives to community leaders, these voices highlight the impact the region is making in driving innovation, economic growth, and technological advancement. Their experiences and stories reflect the thriving environment that makes Middle Georgia a prime destination for forward-thinking industries and companies.
What are people saying about the Middle Georgia Innovation Corridor?
“Middle Georgia as the innovation corridor is the missing puzzle piece that we’ve looked for as we create a portrait with 10,000 puzzle pieces.”
CHRISTELE PARHAM
Co-founder of Macon Black Tech
HamTECH Solutions
“An innovation corridor fosters collaboration between companies, higher education and communities in order to drive transformational activities which would deliver world-class talent, quality of life and economic opportunity.”
EMBER BISHOP BENTLEY
Vice President of External Affairs,
Chief of Staff, Middle Georgia State University
“One of the great strengths of Middle Georgia is the combined assets we have in our area; Robins Air Force Base, the industries, the school systems, and the higher education … we have it all. This is one reason of many we are considered a “Great American Defense Community!””
BRIGADIER GENERAL JOHN KUBINEC
USAF (retired) President and CEO
21st Century Partnership
“As a young entrepreneur in Middle Georgia, I’m proud and excited to have the Middle Georgia Innovation Corridor so close to home. It will open up opportunities for new entrepreneurs like myself to stay in or come to Middle Georgia and mark us on the map as an innovative and friendly place to do business.”
JEFFREY SHELTON
Entrepreneur
Middle Georgia is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. The cost of living in this area is very reasonable. We have a tremendous school system, and we have all the advantages of being within driving distance of many popular destinations without the traffic to go with it.”
ROBERT J. HERRMAN
Director, 402 Software Engineering Group
Robins Air Force Base
“Middle Georgia offers a good quality of life, a pleasant climate, and a low cost of living. Here many families can actually afford to buy a home. We benefit from the proximity to large cities like Atlanta including a bustling international airport, as well as proximity to the beach and the mountains. We also benefit from world-class healthcare with Atrium Health Navicent serving Macon and our rural communities.”
ISABELLE MAGNIN
Innovation Leader, Atrium Health Navicent
“I’m an Air Force brat and have lived in several places across the globe, but Middle Georgia is home. I am a product of the Houston County School System, and so are my three children. After graduating from college, my decision to return to and stay in Middle Georgia was intentional. It really is a great place to live, learn, work, play, worship, and raise a family.”
SONYA JENKINS
COO, Advanced Project Consulting &
Board Member, Georgia Technology Authority
“I have been in Middle Georgia for 20 years. In that time, I have built a successful business and family in no small part because of what Middle Georgia provided. I believe that Middle Georgia has an amazing opportunity to take both our natural and economic resources and leverage them to grow our innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems to be one of the strongest in the state.”
ROBERT C. BETZEL
Grit Consulting, Macon, GA
Middle Georgia Entrepreneur Community Leader
“Middle Georgia is a perfect location for establishing innovation centers and developing businesses because of its proximity to the Robins Air Force Base and accessibility to interstate highways and the Savannah port. More importantly, there is endless opportunity for industry groups to partner with several higher education institutions in the vicinity for developing innovative ideas and workforce.”
GOVIND KANNAN, PH.D.
Vice President for Economic Development and
Land-Grant Affairs, Fort Valley State University
Go anywhere in the country and you will find any number of attributes. But there is one things that really sets us apart … our people. You will find a kindness in Middle Georgia that is hard to match. People genuinely care for one another.”
CHRISSY MINER
Principal, The Miner Agency
“An innovation corridor can be comprised of many components that make the wheels turn including institutions of higher education, start-ups, forward-thinking partnerships, and a sense of connectedness across a defined region – all of which Middle Georgia fosters now. The Partnership for Inclusive Innovation is excited to provide support for two innovative technology research projects in Middle Georgia, knowing that these projects are just part of the great work happening in the area.”
STEPHANIE BROXTON
Community Research Manager
Partnership for Inclusive Innovation
Modern logistics requires constant data integration to allow for the accurate and efficient flow of goods and services. Middle Georgia is a vital partner in our effort, particularly with regards to agricultural trades as well as its inherent role as a transportation hub at the center of the state. Seizing upon those natural advantages has been and will remain a key for economic growth and prosperity.”
JAMES C. MCCURRY, JR.
Chief Administrative Officer,
Georgia Ports Authority
