State officials are also pushing to find business to fill vacant facilities in communities where vital businesses have closed. Valdosta officials were concerned when U.S. Marine closed two plants in the area, laying off 387 local workers. But with a $1.5 million grant from the OneGeorgia Authority and substantial local investment, the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority was able to purchase the two buildings and lease them to Orlando-based Regal Marine. Regal expects to employ 400 workers by 2004. A spokesman for the Kuck family, owners of Regal Marine, said, "Regal is excited about expanding our manufacturing operations in Valdosta. The immediate availability of manufacturing space, the trained workforce and the community support convinced us to expand to Valdosta rather than Orlando."
        Gov. Barnes has also announced additional measures to stimulate the economy and spur business growth. His Shop Georgia Plan designates two series of sales tax holidays for clothing and computer sales. He also announced his intent to introduce legislation that would provide an additional $129 million in unemployment tax relief to Georgia businesses, giving firms more capital to reinvest back into the economy.
        Georgia's unemployment rate tells the story of the state's economic opportunities. Atlanta's jobless rate rose in January from 4.2 percent to 4.4 percent. Statewide the unemployment rate held at 4.4 percent. But there are areas of the state where the estimated unemployment rate for January 2002 exceeded 6 percent (Cordele, College Park, Rome and Vidalia).