For two consecutive years, Valdosta-Lowndes County has been chosen #3 in America by Site Selection Magazine as a destination for new industry and existing industry expansion. The proof is in the pudding and the pudding consists of one of America’s most pro-business communities with aggressive incentives, rapid turn around on permitting, low cost of utilities, major workforce development partners right next door, and a cost of living dramatically lower than most areas in the United States. The business advantage section found here is quite compelling for anyone looking at bottom line efficiencies or a welcoming place to begin or continue operations.
Local Business Climate
The 2006 and 2007 recipient of Site Selection Magazine’s Governor’s Cup Award as the third hottest Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) in its population category for industrial recruitment and expansion, the Valdosta Metro Area continues to attract and grow an impressive list of great companies with recent wins like Steeda AutoSports, Valdosta Optics Lab, Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe Inc., John Deere Water Technology Inc., and Home Depot Distribution Center – just to name a few! Business and Industry is literally booming in Valdosta! The Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority continues to offer a variety of local, state, and federal incentives and options from the four Business and Industrial Parks within the city and additional two in Lowndes County. With Valdosta's temperate climate, superior infrastructure, prime location, and well-trained workforce, it is easy to understand why so many domestic and international businesses are investing in Valdosta!
Valdosta is fortunate to have so many wonderful agencies to assist you in creating, redefining, expanding, locating, or relocating your business here. Since 2006, more than 800 industry positions have been added or created locally, with capital investments of more than $123,000,000. As Georgia’s first Entrepreneurial Friendly City and the annual Business Plan Competition, Valdosta has seen tremendous growth in home-grown businesses over the past 5 years. As co-founders of this inspirational and fruitful competition, the Valdosta/Lowndes Chamber of Commerce offers guidance and expertise to existing members and bolsters local entrepreneurship. The Business Plan Competition, Triple Crown Hometown, and S.E.E.D.S. programs are just a few of the many wonderful programs and networking opportunities offered through our local Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Valdosta State University houses the Small Business Development Center for South Central Georgia in Thaxton Hall on VSU’s North Campus. The SBDC offers a wide variety of services and training for business planning and start-up. The Valdosta Metro Area is EXPLODING with development! Our commercial and residential growth is apparent in nearly every part of the city. Contact the City of Valdosta’s Office of Economic Development by
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whether you want general or specific statistics on the city and area, or if you would like a complete community profile for your business interests, free of charge.
State Business Climate
Georgia's Business Climate ranked No. 2 in nation By MARILYN GEEWAX
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 11/02/07
Washington — In an annual comparison of each state's business climate, Georgia has come in at No. 2, moving up two notches from last year.
The rankings, released Thursday in Site Selection magazine, showed that the Southeast continues to dominate as the region most attractive to business leaders.
THE TOP 20
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1. North Carolina
2. Georgia
3. Texas
4. Virginia
5. Alabama
6. Tennessee
7. Ohio
8. Kentucky
9. Florida
10. South Carolina
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11. Indiana
12. Michigan
13. Illinois
14. Pennsylvania
15. Oklahoma
16. Iowa
17. Mississippi
18. Missouri
19. Nevada (tie)
19. New York (tie)
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• Source: Site Selection magazine's 2007 Top 20 Business Climate Rankings
Magazine editor Mark Arend said the latest survey confirms the well-established pattern of moving factories and offices to the less-unionized South, he said. The most popular sites "tend to be right-to-work states," he said.
Also, Southern states "are the fastest-growing states, so they have a good supply of labor with the right skills," he said.
"And they have great logistical infrastructure, like state highways, ports and airports."
Moreover, the South has warmer weather, which many people prefer. "Quality of life factors in there," said the editor of the bimonthly magazine based in Norcross.
The magazine bases its annual rankings, released each November, on a survey of corporate real estate decision makers and data on projects announced or under construction.
The decision makers say their highest priority is the availability of workers with the right skills, Arend said. Second is the ease of permitting, and third is the level of state and local taxes. Other priorities include the availability of land and buildings at good prices and the quality of higher education, he said.
One state excels in all areas, he said. For the third straight year — and the sixth time in seven years — North Carolina topped the list.
Behind the Southeast, the Midwest is the No. 2 preferred region for new business sites.
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