The Valdosta - Lowndes County Industrial Authority has been selected as one of five national recipients of Expansion Solution Magazine's 2008 Award of Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing. This award recognizes development organizations that have shown exceptional progress and potential in the development arena - by successfully recruiting, retaining and assisting growing high tech manufacturing industry.

The Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority has a renewed focus on attracting top-tier, high wage manufacturing, as well as assisting existing industries to expand. The pro-business philosophy of the community, outstanding City and County leadership, aggressive targeted marketing, and location has provided a successful template for national success in economic development. Examples of hightech manufacturing announcements in 2007-2008 include: Steeda Autosports-Ford Motor Company's premier aftermarket parts manufacturer, Tiger Aircraft, John Deer Water Technologies and Martin's bread company.

According to Brad Lofton, Executive Director of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority, "Our volunteer board of directors deserves a lot of credit for their commitment to bring high paying manufacturing jobs to our community and for providing our staff with the modern tools we need to be successful on a national level. Title Town USA can extend nationally beyond Valdosta-Lowndes County's unprecedented athletic prowess and incorporate industrial development, education, health care, and so many other things."

Rod Casey, Chairman of the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners added, "On behalf of the Board of Commissioners, I congratulate the Industrial Authority for a "Job Well Done!" Our location, quality growth philosophy, including quality of life and environmental issues, makes our region extremely attractive to new business as well as a relocation destination. I'm very proud that the ground work laid long ago combined with the hard work of Director Brad Lofton and the entire Authority led to this award. It verifies what we knew, Lowndes County is a great place to live and work."

Valdosta's Mayor John J. Fretti is also proud of the new economic development designation. "There is no doubt that the City of Valdosta is one of the most advanced cities in the South. We have award winning water, sewer, fire service, accredited law enforcement and a proactive Council. TitleTown USA also known as Winnersville is THE best place to begin, relocate or expand an industry and it is further proven by this award. The group effort by the City of Valdosta and the Industrial Authority has become a winning combination."

The 2008 award continues the trend of national economic development awards the community has received. In 2007, Site Selection Magazine ranked the Valdosta MSA the number 3 destination in America for communities of its size as a destination for new industry. Expansion Solutions Magazine provided the Authority a national top five designation in 2007 for recruiting logistics companies. Valdosta was the only city in Georgia to make the list of "recession proof" cities in a report by Mark Hovind, business consultant and president of JobBait.com. Using data from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Hovind compared job expansion in a number of key industries and workforce growth in various metropolitan areas. He came up with a list of about two-dozen areas where jobs outpaced the workforce during past recessions and last year. Valdosta once again found itself at the top of the list.