Valdosta-On the Move Industry and Education Working Together V aldosta Georgia is far removed from the hustle and bustle of Atlanta. This progressive South Georgia community is showing up on the radar screen as a prime site for the expansion and/or re-location for a variety of types of industries both national and international. Thanks to its prime location, Valdosta is the business and retail hub for South Georgia and North Florida. People and products move easily in and out of the Valdosta area by land, air, and sea. Located at a major Interstate crossroad, Valdosta is easily accessible by I-75 and I-10. The city's modern airport has daily connecting flights to Atlanta, which means the rest of the country and world are just a few hours away. Businesses looking to ship products need look no further than the city's railroad tracks. As the regional rail center, Valdosta is served by CSX, Norfolk Southern, and Valdosta Railway. If ships are the preferred mode of transportation, the ports of Savannah, GA, Brunswick, GA, and Jacksonville, FL, are all nearby. Another important asset of the community is Moody Air Force Base, located in north Lowndes County. As the home of Valdosta State University (a 11,000 student enrollment), Valdosta Technical College and Georgia Military College, the importance of education in this community is apparent. Retail trade, entertainment, medical and transportation as well as employment all have equal roles in the community's economy. Although the county has a relatively low unemployment level, it boasts a labor draw from seven surrounding counties all of which depend on Valdosta-Lowndes County for employment.    The quality of life in Valdosta, Lowndes County is second to none. At first glance one might think this is your typical laid back South Georgia town but upon visiting Valdosta, you will soon discover just under the surface is a booming metropolitan area with all of the amenities of a large town an and all of the quality of a small town. You might say the best of both worlds: the Valdosta Symphony, Theatre Guild Valdosta, Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, numerous parks and athletic programs as well as hunting, fishing and a calendar of community oriented events. One of the highlights of Valdosta is Wild Adventures Theme Park, one of the fastest growing theme parks in the United States. Valdosta has worked hard to maintain the integrity of its rich history and superb quality if life while undergoing the growth it has experience over the past ten years.    The Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority staff explains their success as having a great team, both private and public, working together to make Valdosta the most desirable place to live and do business in the Southeastern US. They works closely with the Georgia Department of Economic Development's State and regional project managers to insure its industrial base, both new and existing, gets the advantages of the Georgia incentive program such as Quick Start (www.georgiaquickstart.org), Georgia's award-winning training program, and the State tax credit program (www.georgia.org).    Brad Lofton, Director of the authority, states, "We work to recruit the right industries to our region using state and local incentives and our own investment policies. Our commitment to diversification helps keep Valdosta-Lowndes County, as well as the region, poised for growth and success."    "We take our commitment to our existing industries serious. You are only a new industry for one day when you locate in Valdosta-Lowndes County. After that first day of welcome, the new company becomes a part of our industrial family; a family we continually assist to keep strong, healthy and growing," offered Vicki Hughes, Assistant Director of the Valdosta Lowndes County Industrial Authority. One recent example of this is the 750,000-square-foot and 200-employee expansion of the Lowe's Distribution Center which originally located in Valdosta ten years ago.    The Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority (www.industrialauthority.com) has a wide range of powers from which to promote economic development throughout the region. The Authority can buy and sell property as well as offer tax incentives. It can also provide a wide array of additional assistance to new and existing businesses to foster economic growth. With seven industrial parks, Valdosta-Lowndes County Georgia has the right fit for almost any industry. Each park has its own unique attribute, from rail served for plastics and manufacturing to park situated near the interstate for distribution and service industries.    The Authority is currently working with a couple of Hi-Tech industries. One current scenario in progress is a project where an industry will be partnering with Valdosta State University on the research and development of their product. By partnering with the new company the University will be training and graduating students ready to go to work. The idea is to grow the workforce as the company grows. Another added incentive for the company's workforce training is Georgia's Quick Start Program and Valdosta Technical College. Quick Start has been singled out for its effectiveness in providing the most comprehensive and advanced training in the nation at no cost to the new or expanding industry. This progressive, current project is breaking ground for those that follow.    Valdosta was designated as one of Georgia's first Entrepreneur Friendly City and if there is a perfect fit; Valdosta/Lowndes County is it for all. For Information Package: Phone: (229) 259-9975 • Fax: (229) 259-9973 Visit our Web site: www.IndustrialAuthority.com