OF PROGRESS 2017-2018
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ATTRACT. LEVERAGE. INVEST
Macon is a city with the gift of geography, located in a growing region with convenient access to one of the world’s great airports and the first city inland of one of America’s busiest ports. It’s a city blessed with an ample water supply, a strong health care infrastructure, and a diverse and high-quality higher education presence. Macon is city with great bones – with beautiful historic structures, more structures on the national registry of historic places than even Savannah. It’s a city attracting & retaining talented young people, who are actively building a better future for themselves, their families, and this community.
WILLIAM D. UNDERWOOD Chair of the Board of Directors
Our community today is translating its enormous potential into reality. This is perhaps most evident in our urban core where decay has been replaced by vibrancy and where community has supplanted isolation. It’s evident in the hundreds of redeveloped lofts now being occupied by the talented, creative and entrepreneurial young people, in new restaurants, bars and retail establishments lining the streets, and in new public infrastructure investments reflecting our community’s growing self-confidence and willingness to reinvest in itself. Artists, entrepreneurs, and preservations are combining forces to revive Macon and transform its tempo. It’s happening now because organizations across our community are collaborating to make the city more vibrant and competitive. It’s happening because we have empowered new, young leaders to bring fresh ideas and energy to the cause. It’s happening because of the leadership of NewTown Macon. NewTown exists because of the commitment of community leaders to the cause of reviving our urban core. We need your engagement with downtown. We need your investment in our work and community through our newly announced capital campaign. We need you.
OUR VISION
To attract, leverage and invest in self-sustaining transformation in Downtown Macon.
OUR MISSION
A vibrant and authentic city experience unparalleled in the South.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
NEWTOWN STAFF
William D. Underwood Chair
Josh Rogers President & CEO
Juanita T. Jordan Vice Chair Dan Forrester Treasurer Tony Rojas Secretary Blake Lisenby Of Counsel Chris R. Sheridan Chair of Ocmulgee Heritage Trail Committee Thomas Wicker Past Chair
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Albert Abrams Virgil Adams Jean Bragg Jim Daws Mike Dyer Carl Garofalo Corrie Hall Bob Hatcher Bill Kilburg Elbert McQueen Lester Miller Emily Myers Bryan Nichols Jacob Patton Robert Reichert John Rhea Scott Seigel Ron Shipman Brother Stewart Scott Thompson Michael Wright
Gail B. Mansfield Chief Financial Officer Erin Keller Vice President for Development Bethany Rogers Director of Business & Real Estate Development Hal Baskin Assistant Director of Business & Real Estate Development Erika Conleay Director of Place David Moore Project Manager Mark Thompson Photographer & Special Events Assistant
22 443 227,222 8,911
YEARS NEWTOWN HAS LED REVITALIZATION EFFORTS IN DOWNTOWN MACON
SUBSCRIBERS OF NEWTOWN’S NEWSLETTER, THE ROSETTE
ANNUAL PAGE VIEWS ON NEWTOWNMACON.COM
FOLLOWERS ON COMBINED SOCIAL MEDIA
NEWTOWN BY THE NUMBERS 3
2017/2018 Annual Report
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ENJOYING DOWNTOWN
615 96%
DOWNTOWN LOFTS
LOFT FINDER There are many beautiful, historic lofts available in downtown Macon. Find the perfect one to call home using NewTown’s Loft Finder. The Loft Finder includes properties within the Central Business District (CBD) and allows you to see what’s currently available for rent. Loft property owners within the CBD may list property on the Loft Finder free of charge. Please contact NewTown Macon to be added.
newtownmacon.com/living-downtown
LOFT OCCUPANCY
109 UNITS BUILT shake up your lunch routine
OCT
21
DOWNTOWN
4:30 - 7:30PM
TRAIL TALES
A CELEBRATION OF OUR TRAIL THROUGH ART AND STORIES @ THE OCMULGEE HERITAGE TRAIL. FREE AND FAMILY FRIENDLY!
SPECIAL REMARKS AT 6:30
@PL ay
• Live Music • Lawn Games • • Pop Up Furniture •
FEATURING COMMUNITY MURAL PAINTING //
MACON OHT COMMUNITY CLEAN UPSHARE & VISION WALK YARD GAMES // STORY // OCTOBER 5TH, 2017 PHOTO WALK // BIKE TOUR//
CAMPFIRES // S’MORES
WHERE?
T h u r s d ay A p r i l 1 2 T h u r s d ay A p r i l 1 9 T h u r s d ay A p r i l 2 6
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11:30am - 1:30pm &
5:30pm - 6:30pm poplar st. park
SPRING STREET LANDING MEET HERE
HOSTED BY:
GET A FREE TRAIL POSTCARD WHEN YOU RSVP AT HTTPS://MACONTRAILTALES.EVENTBRITE.COM
PROGRAMS FIRST FRIDAY
Presented by Robins Financial Credit Union, First Friday has become a signature event in Downtown. The streets come alive each month with patrons enjoying First Friday specials, live music, and art. This community-wide event has proven to be a great time for the whole family!
SOUL SPOTS
Sponsored by Visit Macon, local musicians, artists, and performers bring soul to the sidewalks with live performances on First Fridays.
9 GRANTS RECEIVED FOR SPECIAL PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES
$510,500
GARAGE MEETS
Hosted quarterly, First Friday Garage Meets are free and attract thousands of people to downtown Macon to show off their rides and support local businesses.
AT R I V E R S I D E C E M E T E R Y 1301 RIVERSIDE DRIVE
OCTOBER. FRIDAY THE 13 th
8:30 - 10:30
PRESENTING
AMOUNT AWARDED IN GRANTS
’
fo�
WINTER CLOTHES DRIVE FOR THOSE IN NEED
EEION FRIS S ADM
NEWTOWN
Free snacks while supplies last!
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Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and coolers
NEWTOWN
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT 66
95 ACRES IN BID We have great news to share – the Business Improvement District PASSED! Downtown Macon property owners elected to tax themselves in order to provide an increase of public services. The BID is in its planning phase, but soon enough you will notice a distinct difference in the current level of services. The passing of the BID affirms the belief that downtown’s brightest days are ahead of us.
newtownmacon.com/BID
BEAUTIFICATION & MAINTENANCE
PUBLIC SAFETY & HOSPITALITY
RC
EA VE
AMERSON RIVER PARK
Entrances
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1
Amerson River Park Entrance
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Current End to East Side of Trail System
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Jackson Spring Park and Dr. William G. Lee Camellia Gardens Entrance
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Spring Street Park
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Otis Redding Memorial Bridge Entrance
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Future Entrance to Ocmulgee National Monument
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Ocmulgee National Monument Visitors’ Center
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Central City Park Main Gate
9
Charles H. Jones Gateway Park
INTER
STATE 75
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10 Rose Hill Cemetery Main Gate 11 P
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10
SP
Riverside Cemetery Main Gate
RIN
G
ST
RIVERSIDE CEMETERY
ROSE HILL CEMETERY
RE
DOWNTOWN MACON
Parking
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JACKSON SPRING PARK 3
ET
SE
CO
ND
Completed Trail
ST
RE
ET
BR
ID
Under Construction or Future Connectors
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AR TIN
LU T
HE
Sidewalk Trail
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11
KIN
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EV AR
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CENTRAL CITY PARK
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16 TA TE RS TE IN
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UL GE
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NORTH
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P
MILES OF TRAIL
OCMULGEE NATIONAL MONUMENT
The Ocmulgee Heritage Trail (OHT) is Central Georgia’s riverfront Trail. It extends from Amerson River Park to the Ocmulgee National Monument. The OHT is a valuable outdoor resource for our community and continues to grow in popularity. NewTown is deeply committed to the OHT because the social benefits are critical. The Trail creates more of an attractive community, provides safer routes for bicyclists ad pedestrians, and boosts tourism!
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OCMULGEE HERITAGE TRAIL
TE TA
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OCMULGEE HERITAGE TRAIL
PIE
The Trail currently spans 11 miles long, but we are pleased to announce the trail will soon be expanding! Last summer, we broke ground on the long awaited Walnut Creek extension. This new piece of trail spans nearly 1.75 miles and will connect the Ocmulgee National Monument to the rest of the trail system. This trail section is expected to be completed in Fall of 2018.
2017/2018 Annual Report
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DEVELOPMENT REAL ESTATE
This program is playing a major role in facilitating the revitalization of downtown. Bill Underwood, NewTown Board Chair
576% RETURN ON INVESTMENT FROM NEWTOWN MACON’S STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS IN LOFT HOUSING SINCE 2012
$1,374,253 DOLLARS OF ADDITIONAL REVENUE FOR SCHOOLS AND GOVERNMENT EVERY YEAR, PRODUCED FROM THE TOTAL INCREASE IN DOWNTOWN PROPERTY VALUES
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND
This fund exists to provide public benefit through converting vacant space to active use, increasing property tax revenue, creating construction jobs and improving the aesthetics of downtown Macon. Recipients this year include: 442 Second Street 610 Mulberry Street 544 Mulberry Street (Ground Floor) 512-536 Cherry Street 596 Cherry Street
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND
The purpose of this fund is to fill downtown storefronts with thriving businesses that complement the master plan for downtown Macon. Loans can be used to start, sustain or grow a business in downtown Macon. Recipients this year include: Lady D Fashions MaCan Mobile Canning Sang’s Thai Isaan Restaurant Travis Jean Emporium To learn more NewTown’s loan program or to apply, visit:
newtownmacon.com/loans
NewTown hosted the Developer’s Academy for the fourth consecutive year and produced 10 new graduates this year. The Developer’s Academy is a sixpart course designed to teach interested individuals the basic skills necessary to develop real estate in downtown Macon. Graduates are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to undertake their own downtown revitalization projects. The next Developer’s Academy is slated to begin in January 2019.
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BUILDING BUSINESS COWORKING SPACE The Office is a coworking space located at the NewTown Macon headquarters on Poplar Street. The Office includes four private offices and a limited number of coworking memberships. Memberships include wifi, access to two conference rooms, a mailbox, refreshments, copy and printing and 24/7 hour access to workspace.
newtownmacon.com/theoffice
BUSINESS MENTORING In collaboration with Main Street Macon, NewTown Macon offered free marketing workshops to downtown businesses, focusing on the areas of branding and social media.
NewTown Macon staff members mentor with Middle Georgia SCORE to provide new and existing business owners with free, confidential business advice. You can make an appointment with a mentor at middlegeorgia.score.org.
With a generous grant from the Knight Foundation Fund, NewTown partnered with J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development to develop the curriculum for the first Entrepreneur’s Academy. The purpose of the Academy is to provide training and professional leadership development to aspiring and growth-oriented entrepreneurs. The goal is to improve participants’ ability to develop an informed and informative business plan that will better support funding requests for local entrepreneurial ventures in Macon. The first Entrepreneur’s Academy class will kick-off in September 2018.
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BUILDING BUSINESSES WHAT IS THE GODSEY INITIATIVES FUND? The Godsey Initiatives Fund tripled in size thanks to the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Griffith Family Foundation, and Dr. R. Kirby Godsey. The Godsey Initiatives Fund is an endowment and line of credit that allows NewTown to offer capital and coaching to businesses in downtown Macon. The Godsey Initiatives Fund is a unique tool and a competitive advantage for downtown Macon that allows traditionally under-served populations to access capital to turn ideas into functioning businesses. Through the Godsey Initiatives Fund, NewTown is able to undertake not only traditional loans, but also lines of credit, joint ventures, equity investments and other creative solutions to start or expand downtown businesses. Each deal can be uniquely structured to meet the needs of the individual business. Interested entrepreneurs can start the process online at:
newtownmacon.com/loans.
A strong creative economy is essential to building a successful city. With these new resources for entrepreneurs, Macon will benefit from people and ideas that breathe life into our community and help expand opportunity for all. Lynn Murphey, Knight Foundation Macon Program Director
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Pictured above: Lynn Murphey, Dr. R. Kirby Godsey, Benjy Griffith, Tonja Khabir, Josh Rogers, and Board Chair Bill Underwood at the announcement of their significant contributions to the Godsey Initiatives Fund
ONE-ON-ONE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SMALL BUSINESS LENDING DOWNTOWN MARKET CONSULTATIONS TRAINING PROGRAMS REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT LENDING
WHO WE WORK WITH
BUSINESS START-UPS
EXISTING BUSINESSES
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS
PROPERTY OWNERS
NON-PROFIT & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
HOW TO APPLY
1.
Develop a clear business or real estate development concept to present to NewTown.
2.
Fill out an Intake Form online at: newtownmacon.com/loans
3.
Schedule an appointment with: investor@newtownmacon.com
4.
Gather needed documentation: business plan, financial projections, personal financial documents, tax returns from the last three years.
5.
Meet with NewTown to determine which services or products best fit your needs.
$189,700 LOANED TO DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES*
$1,497,500 LOANED TO REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT*
$7,987,200 TOTAL AMOUNT LOANED SINCE THE INCEPTION OF NEWTOWN’S LOAN PROGRAM IN 2012
*2017-2018 FISCAL YEAR
APPLY ONLINE: newtownmacon.com/loans 11
FINANCIALS INCOME SOURCES 4% 3% 14%
RESOURCE ALLOCATION
7% 1%
20% 3%
TOTAL: $4,110,610 70%
5%
NET ASSETS 14%
7%
TOTAL: $1,981,173
TOTAL: $10,986,183
31%
26%
43%
43% 8%
Contributions Restricted Grants Membership Dues Rental Income In-Kind Contributions Investment & Interest
Admin & Overhead Fundraising Increasing Residents Growing Jobs Sense of Place Advocating Progress/Fiscal Sponsor/Other OHT
Unrestricted Temporarily Restricted Permanently Restricted
BUILDING ON PROGRESS CAPITAL CAMPAIGN We are a full year into our new campaign and we have already received a great amount of support towards our ambitious goal of raising $6.5 million. At the onset of this campaign, we chose to dream big and reach high – this campaign is centered on further charting our path to a completely revitalized downtown Macon! We are on the cusp of both realizing our latent potential, while also increasing the prospect of what is possible in downtown’s future. Our vision for tomorrow is a vibrant and authentic city experience unparalleled in the South. Be a part of the progress and help support NewTown’s initiatives by donating today! For more information or to make a pledge or a one time donation, please contact: Erin Keller erin@newtownmacon.com 478.722.9909 ext. 107
DONATE ONLINE: newtownmacon.com/donate 12
THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS GIFTS OF MORE THAN $50,000 Anonymous Donor Anonymous Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia Diana Blair and Family Community Foundation of Central Georgia $10,000-$49,000 BB&T The Beverly B. Meadors Charitable Fund Cox Communications E.J. Grassmann Trust Gateway 75, LLC Georgia Power James-Bates-Brannan-Groover Macon Bibb County Macon Water Authority Melissa Thompson Merlino Navicent Health Piedmont Construction Group Robins Financial Credit Union Southern Company Gas State Bank & Trust Company David Thompson Mark Thompson Scott Thompson $1,000-$9,999 Adams, Hemingway & Wilson Adams, Jordan & Herrington All-State Electrical Contractors Blue Bird Corporation Coliseum Health Systems Community Ambulance Geico Philanthropic Foundation Georgia Pine Level Foundation Geotechnical & Environmental Consultants Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce Duke R. Groover JET Foundation Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia The Jones Center Anna Kalynych Kumho Tire Georgia L.E. Schwartz & Son, Inc. Lisenby & Associates, LLC Macon Civic Club Martin Snow, LLP McNair McLemore Middlebrooks & Co Metro Power Lester M. Miller, Attorney at Law
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Meaghan and Josh Rogers Sierra Development Group Solomon, Deaton & Buice Insurance Travis Jean, LLC Visit Macon Wells Fargo Clearing Services Drs. Michael & Bridget Wright $500-$999 American Pride Bank Apparel Authority April Hornsby Central Georgia Technical College The Colleen and Sam Nunn Family Grant’s Lounge Blythe and Henry Koplin Macon Occupational Medicine Matthews Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia Simmons Charitable Trust Fund Wade Williams $1-$499 AVAYA Communication Mr. & Mrs. William O. Banks Arthur Barry, III Sandra and Hal Baskin Maryel Battin Katie Berg Jessica Bowers Jean Bragg Edward Brewton Morris Brown BTBB, Inc. Deborah Burks Mary-Frances & Jim Burt D. Melson Butler Susan Clay Dean Copeland The Creek 100.9 Jim Daws Kathryn & Brown Dennis, Jr. Wilmer Dickey Dot’s Forget Me Knots Bonnie Dowling Abby & Drew Elrod
John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Knight Foundation Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia The Peyton Anderson Foundation
Dr. Lisa Williams Garrett Kay Gerhardt Dr. Michael Gibbons Ann Griffeth Corrie & Landon Hall Betsy & Robbo Hatcher Georgia & Bob Hatcher Spencer Hawkins Betty Heard Michael Jamison Floyd Jolley Kristy Jones, CPA Erin P. Keller Kara Keller Nannette & Todd Keller Alice Knierim Rhonda Koplin Nicole Kubas Eleanor A Lane Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Lee Gail B. Mansfield Emily Mantooth Mr. & Mrs. T. Baldwin Martin, Jr. Katherine McLeod Alan Meadors Mort and Beverly Meadors Mr. & Mrs. J. Pat Meyer, Jr. MidSouth Federal Credit Union Savanna Moody Moonhanger Group William and Marie Moore Alex Morrison Mr. and Mrs. John Newsom Harriet A. Newton Mr. & Mrs. Ed Olson William and Gloria Orr Dr. & Mrs. W. John O’Shaughnessey Alex Papadapolous Patton, Albertson & Miller, LLC Alyssa Peters Raleigh Alexis Hamlin Fund at Rhode Island Co. Stephen A. Reichert Donald and Theresa Rhodes Thomas Rhodes Mary Robinson Bethany & Prince Rogers Creighton Rosental Joe Saturna
Betty Sheehan Bess Shirley Mr. & Mrs. William P. Simmons, Jr.
Todd and Mary Kay Smith Katrina Spooner Mr. and Mrs. John Stewart Claudia and Gene Strouss Mr. & Mrs. Blake Sullivan Mr. & Mrs. Troy Tarpley Daniel Taylor Jennifer Taylor Tom & Billie Sue Thomson Lakesia Toomer Rachel Turnball Kris & Ben Vaughn Geneva West Laura West Tom Wight Zach Williams Mr. & Mrs. John Willingham Wright Woodall Joseph Wozniak Gloria M Wynn Dr. Edward and Mrs. Clark Young IN-KIND DONATIONS All-State Electrical Contractors Cumulus Communication Geotechnical & Environmental Consultants Howard Moore McDuffie Lisenby & Associates Law Firm Macon Magazine Middle Georgia State University Chris R. Sheridan Mr. Scott Thompson
2017/2018 Annual Report
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DOWNTOWN EVENTS JAN-MAR
APR
MAY-JUNE
ALL THAT JAZZ
PAN AFRICAN FESTIVAL
SECOND SUNDAY
tubmanmuseum.com
tubmanmuseum.org
braggjam.org
CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
FIRED WORKS
DESIGN WINE & DINE
cherryblossom.com
MAGNOLIA SOAP BOX DERBY
COTTON AVE REVIVAL FESTIVAL historicmacon.org
maconartsalliance.org
magnoliaderby.com
OPEN STREETS
(APRIL & OCTOBER)
(JUNE - AUGUST) historicmacon.org
SPRING STROLL OF MACON HOUSES & GARDENS hayhousemacon.org
openstreetsmacon.com
JUST TAP’D CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL facebook.com/justtapd
1,676 EVENTS HELD IN DOWNTOWN
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7 ART GALLERIES
31
BARS, VENUES & ENTERTAINMENT
JULY-AUG
SEPT-OCT
NOV-DEC
braggjam.org
OCMULGEE INDIAN CELEBRATION
HISTORIC MACON FLEA MARKET
MACON FILM FESTIVAL
ocmulgeemounds.org
historicmacon.org
MACON BEER FESTIVAL
MACON WINE & ARTS FESTIVAL
themaconbeerfest.org
maconartsalliance.org
MAIN STREET CHRISTMAS LIGHT EXTRAVAGANZA
MACON BURGER WEEK
TOUR OF PROGRESS
maconga.org
newtownmacon.com
BRAGG JAM
maconfilmfestival.org
TRICK-OR-TREAT IN DOWNTOWN MACON mainstreetmaconga.com
SPIRITS IN OCTOBER
mainstreetmaconga.com
CHRISTMAS PARADE mainstreetmaconga.com
NUTCRACKER OF MIDDLE GEORGIA midganutcracker.com
riversidecemetery.com
56 RESTAURANTS
15
5 THEATRES
250,000+ CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ON POPLAR STREET
555 Poplar Street Macon, GA 31201 478-722-9909 newtownmacon.com
´
@newtownmacon
DESIGN BY ERICA NEUBAUER.
ericasneubauer graphic
design
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS: MARYANN BATES, ERIKA CONLEAY, MARK STROZIER, MARK THOMPSON.