This year, with companies like Tractor Supply Co. setting up shop locally, Georgia's economy is predicted to outpace the national average. According to the Macon Bibb Industrial Authority meeting Monday afternoon, that prediction is holding up.

Pat Topping, Senior V.P. of the Macon Economic Development Commission, offered promising numbers to the Macon Bibb Industrial Committee in Monday's monthly meeting.

"We got five or six projects right now that are in some serious stages of negotiations," said Topping.

In 2007, Topping said project activity level began dropping off. Today, Topping says there's more than 50 businesses with interest in the area.

"The last six months for sure and over the last twelve months we've seen an increase in activity," said Topping. "We're probably up 16% over what we were last year."

Potentially, Topping sees more manufacturing projects, some bringing in up to 300 jobs. But Topping says some prospective projects are in the early stages, but still shows two things.

"It shows number one, we're on the radar screen for a lot of these companies and two, it gives us an opportunity to promote what we have to offer here. Which is our workforce, our location, and our other businesses that can help supply these companies."

Topping points to increase marketing activity by organizations like the Industrial Authority and companies slowly starting to make decisions as the economy gets back on its feet.

"Companies that have a legitimate need are starting to come out and start exploring that need," said Topping. "So, if they need a new manufacturing facility or a new distribution facility they're starting to do the due diligence that's necessary to make a good business decision."

Of the prospects that the Economic Development Commission is in talks with. Those five businesses could bring in more than 600 jobs and will invest more than $360 million. Other projects of interest can bring 550 more jobs and will invest more than 200 million additional dollars.