Borderlands

Nestled in the southern corner of Bibb County, between Houston and Twiggs County,The Borderlands is Macon's newest district. With its own public subway system, spiritual centers, restaurants, grocery and discount department stores, thousands of factory and distribution jobs, community hall, firehouse and police precinct, The Borderlands have all the essentials of a modern community. While The Borderlands could be its own town, it is not an antonymous entity and is dependent upon Macon's infrastructure.

The Borderlands became a reality in 2006 after industry owners from Atlanta and influential Maconites signed a series of contracts setting aside 900 acres of land in southeast Bibb County for the purpose of 'economic stimulation and the improvement of the quality of life' for Macon's citizenry. The timing could not have been more auspicious as a rabies epidemic that devastated much of Macon south of downtown was just around the corner.

Even more auspicious was the discovery made by surveyors. While gathering information along Industrial Highway, the 184 year old county border between Bibb County and Houston County was revealed to be based on a number of improperly documented county markers. The possible errors favored Bibb County and in no way impeded the development of The Borderlands so construction was able to continue as scheduled. It would be two years before the courts settled the border dispute resulting in a new county line.

Construction of The Borderlands industrial zone was completed in late 2006 followed by The Borderlands' residential zone, Avondale, being completed in mid 2007. The People's Credit Union, a credit union from the civil rights era that was revitalized by influential minorities and local churches in 1997, offered interest free house loans to its members employed within The Borderlands. By the end of 2007 the residential zone was 90% inhabited and 80% of the newly created job positions had been filled.

Today, The Borderlands is considered to be one of the safest neighborhoods in America and the model for a new era of industrial and community harmony.