Macon, Ga. ? Concertgoers won’t have to pay for a Little Richard concert in the singer’s hometown. But who will?

Macon Mayor Jack Ellis announced the concert Friday. He asked local business leaders – including the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce – to pick up the estimated $75,000 tab for Saturday’s event, the chamber’s president said.

But business leaders say they haven’t been given enough time to come up with the money. Mike Ford, who heads the city’s NewTown revitalization effort, said he wasn’t approached until last Wednesday about the concert.

Ron Wildman, a city spokesman, said the mayor was disappointed the business groups aren’t “stepping up to the plate since they’ve been using Little Richard now for several years to promote Macon and he’s not charged them one dime.”

The Macon native’s picture appears on billboards promoting Macon and a recording of his voice greets callers at the convention and visitor’s bureau. There are also tentative plans to erect a statue for the 72-year-old singer in front of a local theater.

The mayor said through a spokesman he’ll turn to local residents and businesses to pay for the show.