Bibb County unveils neighborhood program in Kings Park, names Jerry Battle coordinator

At a community event in Kings Park, Bibb County officials introduced a new neighborhood program and presented Jerry Battle as the county’s neighborhood program coordinator. The mayor said the initiative is intended to connect revitalization efforts to neighborhood needs and to ensure benefits reach long‑time residents.

Alex Morris, director of planning and public spaces for Bibb County, framed the program as the next phase of local revitalization efforts that began downtown. "If it doesn't serve the entire community and it doesn't radiate out and benefit more people, then we're missing the mark," Morris said, arguing that a dedicated coordinator was needed because project delivery staff often lack time to do day‑to‑day neighborhood engagement.

Morris described the new role as focused on listening to residents, building neighborhood capacity and "lifting neighborhoods up from within," rather than "trying to sell neighbors on projects that someone else wants to get done." He said the county’s approach emphasizes resident self‑determination and access to capital so that improvements do not displace incumbents.

Jerry Battle, introduced by Morris as the neighborhood program coordinator and a childhood resident of Kings Park, told the audience the initiative—which he described as "Making Good Neighbors"—aims to "improv[e] the quality of life in our communities by listening to residents, addressing concerns, and creating visible change that people can find, can feel proud of." Battle outlined early, resident‑driven work in Kings Park: relocating an unused pavilion from county inventory to serve as a gathering site and installing new playground equipment, among smaller steps intended to rebuild neighborhood capacity.

Local leader Deacon Johnson, who said he has worked with the neighborhood association since 1979, thanked county departments and volunteers and urged continued community involvement. "If you give us that push and stand behind us, me myself, I will stand and see to the people that I got working with me to be right there by your side," he said.

In closing remarks, the mayor reiterated the county’s commitment to partner with neighborhoods across Bibb County, offered an open‑door policy for residents to discuss needs and potential county support, and noted that while the county is pursuing broader infrastructure work, officials intend to prioritize direct neighborhood improvements.

The event emphasized community‑led, small‑scale investments and a new staff role intended to sustain resident engagement; no formal vote or ordinance was taken at the gathering.