Construction Photos
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“Becoming a Certified Work Ready Community can be a significant and important factor in driving economic growth,” said Governor Perdue. “Delivering a skilled workforce that can hit the ground running can make the difference in a company choosing to locate in a community.” The five new Certified Work Ready Communities of Excellence are Floyd, Hancock, Lowndes, Mitchell and The new Certified Work Ready Communities achieved the following:
To earn the Certified Work Ready Community designation, counties must demonstrate a commitment to improving public high school graduation rates through a measurable increase, and show a specified percentage of the available and current workforce have obtained Work Ready Certificates. Each community created a team of economic development, government and education partners to meet the certification criteria. Counties are given three years to reach the goals necessary to earn the designation. Five additional counties – Glascock, Taylor, To date, 28 counties have earned the Certified Work Ready Community designation and 112 others are working toward their individual goals. Once counties attain their Certified Work Ready Community goals, they are able to maintain their status by ensuring a small percent of their available workforce continue to earn Work Ready Certificates, engage local businesses to recognize and use Work Ready, and continue to increase their public high school graduation rate until they reach a threshold of 75 percent. Once they reach 75 percent, they must sustain that graduation rate to maintain their certification status. To continue their work, each county will receive a $10,000 grant. Their Work Ready Community teams will also receive a two-year membership to their local chamber of commerce and a budget for additional Work Ready outreach materials. Counties that are fully certified receive road signs and a seal denoting the year they achieved certification. For more information on the Work Ready initiative please visit the Web site at www.gaworkready.org. Preparing For Growth in a Recovering Economy Over the past two years, the Valdosta Lowndes County Industrial Authority has been preparing for the growth that comes with a recovering economy. These preparations include purchasing land, infrastructure upgrades, a revised New and Existing Industry Incentive Policy and the community’s new Workforce Ready Certification. The most important of these preparations is the purchase of land. Without available authority owned site ready tracts of land, the recruitment of new industries and assistance of existing industry growth would be much slower. With the community’s fast permitting process and a substantial inventory of land, a company can begin the construction process within thirty days of closing (less in some cases). Added to the Authority’s existing inventory of 202 (two hundred and two) available acres within the six industrial parks is a recently purchased 430 (four hundred and thirty) acre tract of land just south of Valdosta on Hwy 41 and a 156 (one hundred and fifty six) acre extension of the Azalea West Business Park located west of downtown Valdosta less than two miles from I-75. The new park on Hwy. 41 will be a premier mixed industrial use business park. The Azalea West Extension is a shovel ready site, perfect for logistics/distribution due to its proximity to I-75 and Hwy 84. The Authority is also currently working on the addition of a 100 (one hundred) acre site just south of Moody Air Force Base. This park will be reserved for defense and aviation/aerospace projects. While searching for new industrial park sites, the Authority has identified over 800 (eight hundred) acres of additional land, suitable for industry, throughout the county including over 75 (seventy five) acres on the Valdosta Regional Airport property reserved for aviation related projects. Sonny Perdue For Immediate Release Contact: Office of Communications, (404) 651-7774 Governor Perdue Announces Sterling Energy Assets’ Plans for 40-megawatt New company, Wiregrass Power, LLC, will create 25 jobs and invest $110 million in Lowndes
ATLANTA—Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that Wiregrass Power, “Georgia’s status as the nation’s Bioenergy Corridor continues to grow with the location The Wiregrass Electric Generating Facility will be developed on 22.1 acres of land next Wiregrass will bring additional renewable energy to Georgia’s electricity mix. The The project will make beneficial use of reclaimed water, the byproduct of the waste water Wiregrass Power, LLC is wholly owned by Atlanta-based Sterling Energy Assets. The “We’re excited to see this project moving forward,” said Jill Stuckey, Director of the “In this time of economic uncertainty, one constant is the growing need for electricity project in our home state of Georgia, with its business-friendly environment and strong “With the announcement of Wiregrass Power, LLC, the City of Valdosta, Ga. has staked Michelle Shaw, project manager for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, About the company Sterling Planet Holdings, Inc. owns and invests in companies that target economic, Chris Schrimpf
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| An inside view of the 657,600-square-foot The Home Depot Rapid Deployment Center in Lake Park. The facility is larger than 11 football fields. The center began operations on April 20 but had its official grand opening on Thursday. |
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| Chris Falcon, general manager of The Home Depot Rapid Deployment Center, watches Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Frank Blake and Gov. Sonny Perdue mark the grand opening of the Lake Park center by sawing a ceremonial piece of lumber. |
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Congratulations to Saft America for being awarded the contract to provide Lithium-ion Batteries for the U.S. Air Force Global Hawk Project. Production is slated for 2004 to 2010.
For Immediate Release
February 26, 2009
THE HOME DEPOT SEEKS TO HIRE 200 FOR NEW DISTRIBUTION CENTER IN VALDOSTA
Company Currently Hiring Full-Time Warehouse and Office Positions
Valdosta, GA – The Valdosta Lowndes County Industrial Authority is proud to announce The Home Depot is currently seeking applicants for several hundred jobs at its new distribution center located on Peterson Road in Lake Park, Lowndes County Georgia. The 657,000 sq-ft facility will open later this spring. The world’s largest home improvement retailer is hiring full-time positions for the center, which will help to improve service and increase efficiency at its retail locations throughout portions of the Southeast. General warehouse and office positions are available.
The Home Depot offers one of the most comprehensive benefits packages in the retail industry, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401k, a discounted stock purchase plan, and its Success Sharing bonus program for eligible full- and part-time associates. The available positions are located inside a climate-controlled environment and are for a Monday - Friday work week. Additional positions will be available after the facility opens later this spring. Home Depot associates build their careers, share the values of The Home Depot, and volunteer together in the community.
The Home Depot is an equal opportunity employer. The home improvement retailer seeks candidates with a passion for learning and for teamwork, and those who enjoy a challenging and dynamic work environment. Applicants may visit http://careers.homedepot.com to read job descriptions, view a video that provides a behind-the-scenes view of the work environment, and to apply.
Brad Lofton, Executive Director of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority, states “With the state of today’s economy, the announcement that The Home Depot will be hiring 200 employees couldn’t have come at a better time. This facility will have a very positive impact on our entire seventeen county region.”
How: Applicants can apply online or by using the career kiosk located in The Home Depot stores. To apply online:
Visit http://careers.homedepot.com
Select “Distribution Center Hourly” and “GA”
Click “Search”
Select “RDC – Valdosta”
Click “Next”
Contact: Craig Fishel, The Home Depot, (770) 384-2512
Sarah Molinari, The Home Depot, (770) 384-5504
Brad Lofton, Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority, (229) 259-9972
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N° 51-08
Saft launches production of new battery range specifically
designed for telecom networks
Dedicated production line at Valdosta (Georgia, USA) has a capacity of
over 16 000 48 V Tel.X batteries per year.
Paris, December 22, 2008 – Saft, leader in the design, development and manufacture of high-
end batteries for industry, has completed its investment in its new Tel.X nickel-based product
range designed specifically for telecom networks applications. The investment programme just
completed is a new $9 million production line at its US manufacturing facility in Valdosta (Georgia,
United States).
The Tel.X battery range is designed to deliver reliable backup power for the growing number of
decentralized facilities, supporting fixed, wireless, cable and cellular networks, which are in remote
or demanding outdoor locations.
The new manufacturing line will enable Saft to expand its customer base in a market where
performance, reliability and low TCO (total cost of ownership) are crucial. Its focus is on providing a
high quality, maintenance-free battery solution for applications subjected to extreme temperature
as well as high levels of humidity. With an extended range of capacities, smaller batteries and long
service life, the Tel.X batteries are ideally suited for the majority of telecom network applications.
Xavier Delacroix, the General Manager of Saft’s IBG division says, “We believe that despite the
short-term issues we reported in November in the telecom market, the Tel.X product range will
lead to increased sales and market share for Saft. We currently have approximately 2% market
share in the telecom network market with our nickel-based batteries. The potential is therefore
considerable. Our new production line is a major commitment to this market with very significant
growth potential and we are ready to expand it further as demand develops.”
Tel.X Ni-Cd battery
Saft’s Tel.X battery offers important advantages for demanding outdoor telecom applications in
remote areas. It is both maintenance-free and compact, light and easy to install – around 15
minutes for a 48 V battery.
Tel.X has an exceptionally long service life, over 20 years in normal temperatures and more than
14 years at +40°C. So, in many cases the battery can be expected to outlive other parts of the
installation, during which time, under normal operating conditions, it will not need topping-up with
water.
The battery also offers high volumic energy density, of up to 100 Wh/L while weighing around 30
per cent less than a conventional battery. It is designed for use in standard 19” and 23” racks and
cabinets, where its compact size makes it easy to fit and install as a direct replacement for VRLA
batteries and it is compatible with all telecom rectifiers.
Tel.X is ideally suited for backup power applications in outdoor installations, such as cabinets and
end terminals in fibre-optic ‘triple-play’ networks as well as BTS (Base Transceiver Station) and
BSC (Base Station Controller) installations in wireless networks.
Saft’s Tel.X batteries are available in a wide range of capacities. They are being tested by a
number of customers around the world.
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About Saft
Saft (Euronext: Saft) is a world specialist in the design and manufacture of high-tech batteries for
industry. Saft batteries are used in high performance applications such as industrial infrastructure
and processes, transportation, space and defence. Saft is the world’s leading manufacturer of
nickel-cadmium batteries for industrial applications and of primary lithium batteries for a wide range
of end markets. The group is also the European leader for specialised advanced technologies for
the defence and space industries. With approximately 4,000 employees worldwide, Saft is present
in 18 countries. Its 15 manufacturing sites and extensive sales network enable the group to serve
its customers worldwide.
Saft is listed in Paris’ Stock Market. The stock is mentioned in SBF 120 index.
For more information, visit Saft at www.saftbatteries.com
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Bringing Industry to Lowndes County Brad Lofton, director of the Lowndes County Industrial Authority, said Valdosta has already added 1,700 new jobs in the past 24 months. One reason Valdosta continues to grow despite upward trends in unemployment at the state and national levels is due in part to the aggressive policies implemented by the Industrial Authority board in cooperation with city and county governments. The Lowndes County Industrial Authority has recently established an aggressive, targeted marketing plan to attract new industries to Valdosta and Lowndes County, Lofton said. The authority is focusing its marketing efforts on three clusters or classes of industry — advanced manufacturing (businesses like aviation, automotive and defense), life sciences (pharmaceutical, bio-technology, health care related and agricultural-related research and development) and logistics (distribution centers like Home Depot, Dillards, Smith Pharmaceutical, FedEx and Lowes). “Valdosta and Lowndes County have enjoyed historically low unemployment compared to the rest of the state and the nation,” Lofton said, “so it doesn’t make sense to recruit industry for the sole benefit of adding employment unless the new jobs will provide a tangible increase in the community’s median income and quality of life.” The Industrial Authority is currently working with business owners from Wyoming, Pennsylvania and California who are contemplating locating their businesses in Lowndes County. Part of the authority’s strategy for attracting manufacturing jobs is to have the sites “shovel ready,” Lofton said, making sure that all the infrastructure and resources are there in advance, that things like utilities and the proper zoning is in place. Three businesses that have already made the move to Lowndes county — True Flight, Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe, and Steeda Autosports — will bring 407 jobs and $43.8 million in capital investment over the next three years, according to a recent write up in Expansion Solutions magazine. Lofton said that having pro-manufacturing advocates at the state level gives added impetus to businesses looking for suitable communities to move to. Georgia State Senator Tim Golden, D-Valdosta, recently announced the formation of a Manufacturing Study Panel. “At the end of the study,” the press release from Golden’s office states, “the committee will make recommendations for legislation to be considered during the 2009 session of the General Assembly.” The purpose of the panel is to make it more attractive for manufacturers to locate in Georgia and to “help existing industries keep and expand their employment base.” Golden has been trying since 1996 to remove the 4-cent state sales tax on energy, an effort that earned him the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Legislator of the Year Award in 2007. “Energy is number one. That’s the prime subject of concern to all the plant managers, mills and industrial plants all over the state,” said Golden. “It really hurts our existing industries, who can close a plant and move it to a more friendly state, and of course hurts recruitment of industry. There are many factors in this, but energy is certainly a key component of the equation.” Topics studied by the panel have been energy costs, environmental and other regulations, health care costs, workforce development, and innovations and research among other things. On the subject of workforce development, one problem the panel has run into, Golden said, is that “employers say they take 100 applicants — only 30 turn out to be possibilities and they may hire 10 that are qualified.” A study written by Dr. Roger Tutterow and cited by Golden, gives several reasons why manufacturing is so crucial to Georgia and the nation’s economy. According to the study, manufacturing drives wealth creation, provides employment, compensates employees at a higher rate than most non-manufacturing businesses, and offers other fringe benefits, like group insurance and 401K plans. Manufacturing also has a significant multiplier effect — it increases wealth in communities by purchasing raw materials locally, subcontracting with other local businesses, and stimulates local economies when employees use their wages to purchase local goods and services. |
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ESPN returned to the “I think it’s great for the community,” The news hit the area early Monday morning and spread around noon, when people began showing up at the stadium. ESPN then let the world know during the 6 p.m. showing of “SportsCenter.” Not only were fans, athletes and coaches of Valdosta State, Valdosta, Lowndes, Valwood, Open Bible and Georgia Christian in attendance, but also there were Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, Sen. “We’re obviously ecstatic about the TitleTown USA designation,” Mayor Fretti said. “And we’re going to make the nation proud of Out of the 20 finalists, just the top six were mentioned during the “SportsCenter” presentation of TitleTown “She called me and wanted to know where I was, and I said TitleTown Indeed, it was “We were able to really showcase Cagle has been on a week-long tour to various media outlets throughout “You cannot buy national attention like this,” new Valdosta State University President Patrick Schloss said. “It comes out of the community, the athletes and the university community coming together. “It was my first day here, and it was bigger than anything I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen a lot of big things. I know what it takes to make things like this happen, and I have my deepest admiration to everyone in the community.” Indeed, the feel around Bazemore-Hyder and the various outlets which showed the “SportsCenter” broadcast was that this was one of the biggest things to ever hit The city thinks so, too. Road signs are being made marking “TitleTown |
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Analyst: Valdosta 'recession-proof' The Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, business consultant and president of JobBait.com Mark Hovind ranked every metropolitan statistical area across the country, highlighting those he deemed to be “recession-proof.” The city of Valdosta was the only Georgia city to make the list. There’s all kinds of talk these days about companies, industries and careers that are immune to economic downswings. But are there “recession-proof” places? Hovind thinks so. Using data from the Bureau of Labor 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 the recessions of 1990 and 2001, and in the past year, and figured they’d likely fare well in another downturn. Among the metropolitan areas making his list were Prescott, Ariz.; Fayetteville, Ark.; Bakersfield, Calif.; Grand Junction, Colo.; Bend, Ore.; Valdosta; and Morgantown, W.Va. Valdosta is the only “recession-proof” city in Georgia, according to Hovind’s list. Each has an economy built around some industry — or mix of industries — that “don’t follow the business cycle pattern,” says Matt Martin, an economist with the Federal Reserve Bank’s Charlotte office. They’re regional health-care centers, state capitals or university towns. Like State College, home to Pennsylvania State University, which is also on the list. With its 24,000 full- and part-time employees and record fall enrollment of 42,200 students, the school is the economic engine that runs this town nestled amid the hills and hardwood forests of central Pennsylvania. On a recent weekday midmorning, waitresses at the Original Waffle Shop on West College Avenue bustled about the bright, cheery restaurant, filling the coffee mugs of salesmen in suits and retirees gossiping about Penn State football. John Dimakopoulos says business has done nothing but climb since he opened the doors in 1972. “For State College to feel the crunch, that means every place else will be suffering,” says Dimakopoulos, 59. Outside town, things aren’t quite as cheerful. Corning Inc. laid off more than 1,000 workers in 2003 when it shut down a television picture-tube plant in College Township, and Bolton Metal Products announced earlier this year it was closing a century-old brass rod factory in nearby Bellefonte and cutting almost 200 jobs. But job gains at the university were nearly enough to offset those losses, Penn State economist Ted Fuller says. A new law school building is currently under construction, and a university-affiliated retirement community about a mile from Beaver Stadium is attracting alumni and newcomers to the town. That might make State College “somewhat of a one-industry town,” Fuller says. But locals are fortunate that it’s “a clean, white-collar industry that pays well, continues to add jobs, and is nearly immune from the changing fortunes of the business cycle.” The same is true in Morgantown, home of the West Virginia University Mountaineers. “If somebody’s cutting back, it’s not really affecting their travel,” says Renee Braley, an agent with National Travel. “With my people, it’s business as usual. .... I’m doing the Middle East, Egypt, Italy.” Flashing on her computer screen is an itinerary for a Rome trip with a price tag of $1,889. That same trip a year ago would have cost much less, she says. “It’s blowing my mind, but they’re buying,” she says, noting that one customer booked a $9,000 spring break trip for his family, then came back a few days later for a $13,000 jaunt to Hawaii. “They’re still asking questions like, ‘Will $2,000 or $3,000 more get me a better hotel?’ So they’re not cutting back. “They should be, but they’re not.” In Olympia, Wash., the local cash cow is state government. At the southernmost tip of scenic Puget Sound, the population of this smallish city of 44,000 swells during the legislative session, when lawmakers, lobbyists and special interest groups swarm downtown coffee shops and eateries. Olympia is home not only to the Capitol and the bustle of politics that surrounds it, but also to two regional hospitals, Evergreen State College and a lively arts community. In addition to numerous galleries, downtown Olympia hosts the Washington Center, home to the Olympia Symphony Orchestra, Harlequin Productions at the historic State Theater, as well as the Capital Playhouse. The 125-seat, black-box theater runs 11 musicals a year, and the three-week shows were so popular, they added another weekend to each musical starting last September. “None of those things individually is a significant driver by themselves, but what they do do is drive the economies of other businesses,” says Jeff Kingsbury, who founded the playhouse. “It’s such a diverse mix of businesses and the thriving arts, it really helps stabilize the economy all the time.” Located between Seattle and Portland, and close to both the mountains and the coast, Olympia also earns points for air quality, low crime and other quality-of-life measures. But it’s that constant of state government that is “the great equalizer for us,” says Michael Cade, executive director of Thurston County Economic Development Council. “State capitals are good, especially if ... state government’s large relative to the size of the town,” says Martin, the Fed economist. Of course, even these “well-insulated” places — Martin’s term — would feel the effects of a recession. Hovind says his use of the term “recession-proof” shouldn’t be misconstrued as meaning a place is untouched by economic malaise. “It’s not absolute. You can’t look at it in those terms. This is a continuous scale of gray,” he says. Despite continued job growth and housing prices that are still climbing, the Triangle didn’t make Hovind’s list. People get the mistaken impression that the Triangle — with the state government in Raleigh, the pharmaceutical firms of the Research Triangle Park, and the major research centers of Duke, NC State and UNC — is recession-proof, says NC State economist Michael Walden. But the area is also heavily dependent on the technology and financial services sectors, both of which were hit hard in 2001 and would likely suffer in another recession, he says. |
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Home Sweet Home: Home Depot to build new distribution center
By Malynda Fulton, The Valdosta Daily Times
LAKE PARK — It’s finally official! Home Depot is the Fortune 500 company building a new distribution center in Lowndes County.
Gov. Sonny Perdue made the announcement that Lowndes County will be the home of Home Depot’s new regional distribution center, which will create more than 400 new jobs in the area within 36 months.
“Having one of Georgia’s largest and most admired companies expand in our state shows that we’re not just a great place to get started, but also a great place to grow,” said Gov. Perdue. “Our strong business climate and strength in logistics continues to attract top-tier retailers like The Home Depot.”
The Home Depot, an Atlanta-based home improvement products retailer, plans to occupy a 657,600 square-foot distribution facility on 89 acres in the Lake Park Industrial Park in December of 2008. According to Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority Executive Director Brad Lofton, the distribution center is expected to be Lake Park’s largest employer. Lofton added that the center’s opening will have a significant, positive impact on the regional workforce, employing large numbers of people from South Georgia and North Florida.
The community partnered with the State Department of Economic Development and other local and regional partners during the successful site selection process. The center, which should be operational in the first quarter of 2009, is to be developed by IDI, Inc, a top ranked Atlanta-based developer specializing in providing strategically-located warehouse and distribution facilities for Fortune 500 clients. The selected construction company is Catamount Constructors, also of Atlanta.
Founded in 1978, The Home Depot, Inc. is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer and the second largest retailer in the United States with fiscal 2006 sales of $90.8 billion and earnings of $5.8 billion.
This announcement is a continuation of positive economic development news for the Valdosta metropolitan statistical area—one that has recently been awarded a consecutive top three designation in the U.S. as a location for new industry by Site Selection Magazine.
“The Home Depot’s decision to locate their new facility in Lake Park underscores our community’s standing as a premier destination for distribution and logistics operations,” Industrial Authority Chairman John Peeples said. “In addition to being blessed with a terrific geographic location, our community is very fortunate to have local and state leaders who are dedicated to quality growth, and who work together tirelessly toward that goal.”
Lowndes County Commission Chairman Rod Casey identified the announcement as further proof of Lowndes County emerging as a hub for logistics in the Southeastern United States.
A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Monday at the Lake Park Industrial Park.
Steeda Breaks Ground By Kelli Hernandez , The Valdosta Daily Times
VALDOSTA — What is now a 25-acre plot of grass on what is to become ‘Victory Lane’ will soon be the home of the world’s most advanced manufacturing facility and the newest edition to the Azalea East Industrial Park, Steeda Autosports.
Steeda held the official groundbreaking Friday for its new facility off of Clay Road in the Azalea East Industrial Park Friday. Pictured from left are Steve Merrell, Bank of America, Brad Lofton, executive director of the Valdosta Lowndes County Industrial Authority, Rod Casey, Lowndes County Commission Chairman, Dario Orlando, Steeda president, John Fretti, Valdosta mayor, Glen Vitale, CEO, Scott Boda, plant manager, and John McDonald with McDonald Construction Services.
The company held a groundbreaking ceremony Friday to kick off construction of the 100,000-square foot facility, which is expected to be complete in the fall. McDonald Construction Services out of Atlanta has been chosen as the contractor and will begin site preparation Monday before heavy construction begins in approximately two weeks, according to Senior Vice President Bob Hicks.
Steeda Autosports is the leading aftermarket manufacturer for performance parts in the $38 billion automotive industry. The company is licensed to produce Ford products, and manufactures a variety of parts under the Ford logo.
According to owner and founder Dario Orlando, Steeda manufactures more than 2,000 parts, and “it’s the best orwe won’t build it.”
Orlando announced the decision to relocate to Valdosta from the company’s Pompano Beach, Fla., headquarters in March 2007.
The local economy, in addition to incentives offered by the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority, the climate, location, proximity to Interstates 75 and 10, and the people of the area are the things that really attracted the company to Valdosta, Orlando said just before the ceremony.
The Pompano Beach location will continue to serve as a satellite facility for service and sales supporting the company’s South Florida market, but Valdosta will serve as the world headquarters. Once the facility is up and running, Orlando, along with CEO Glen Vitale and plant manager, Scott Boda, will also relocate to the city.
“What we are so excited about is the opportunity that Valdosta and Lowndes County have given us to develop the most advanced Ford performance manufacturing facility in the world,” Orlando said. “We want to thank the city and the state for the opportunity.”
Orlando added that the facility will bring 100 jobs to the area and will employ students graduating from Valdosta Technical College, where there is already instruction offered in the operating software used by the company. The addition of Steeda to the Azalea East Industrial Park comes with a $10 million investment for the area.
“This is another wonderful triumph for Valdosta/Lowndes County,” Industrial Authority Chairman, John Peeples, said. “Less than one year ago we were standing here saying ‘This is going to be a reality,’ and now it is a reality.”
Mayor John J. Fretti added, “Today is a testament to innovation.” Fretti said the relationship between Ford and Steeda will be merged with the people and the quality of life that has already been built in the city, which is the groundwork for success.
“I think you will realize in the years to come what a wise decision you’ve made,” County Commission Chairman Rod Casey said just before the official groundbreaking. “We will do whatever we can to make you successful.”
Breaking in early to life in Valdosta, Steeda will host an event for the American Mustang Club during the second week in June, which is expected to attract more than 1,000 participants to the area, according to Orlando.
Bakery Goes Vertical By Malynda Fulton, The Valdosta Daily Times
VALDOSTA — Dignitaries gathered on Potato Roll Lane near Interstate 75 Tuesday to help Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe celebrate during the official “going vertical” ceremony for its new building.
Martin's Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc. founder Jim Martin, right, with Industrial Authority Chairman John Peeples, watching a wall panel put into place at the Tilt Up ceremony Tuesday at the worksite for the bakery off of Old Clyattville Road.
The 186,000 square-foot facility, scheduled to produce its first roll off the production line on Oct. 1 of this year, is said to be ahead of schedule in construction. The construction company has begun to lift the tilt concrete panels in place, bringing the facility one step closer to completion.
“You will see this area evolve from nothing to a building in the next 10 days,” said Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe Executive Vice President Ron Gipe before leading ceremony attendees out to the construction site to view workers lifting and transporting concrete, a total of 8,500 cubic yards. “I’m just thrilled with the participation of Elkins (Construction Company), as well as the citizens, to ensure that we are on time and within budget. It gives me chills to think about the dedication put into this project.”
This facility, located on a 40-acre site near the airport and Exit 13, will employ an initial 150-member workforce and will house a state-of-the-art, combination potato bread and roll line. The family owned and operated company remains headquartered in Chambersburg, Penn., where it began in the 1950s in the kitchen of the Martin home located in the heart of “Pennsylvania Dutch” country. The idea to market a family recipe that had been handed down through generations was conceived by Lois and Lloyd Martin. As the demand for their product steadily increased over the company’s first 20 years, the bakery moved into the Martin’s Family Restaurant before finally building a production plant in 1978, where the family continues to do business today.
Martin’s continues the tradition today as the “original” potato roll manufacturers producing a line of potato roll and bread products that are distributed up and down the East Coast. Their current location forces their drivers to travel 1,100 miles one way to deliver their product to the Georgia and Florida markets.
According to Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe President Jim Martin, the taste of the bread is especially appealing to southern communities, which made Lowndes County an excellent location for the facility, beating out Adel and Lake City, Fla. due to available labor pool and quality of the city’s water supply.
“The local community has been very supportive and we feel like we’re home,” Martin said. “We are currently working with the Department of Labor to recruit managers. Several members of our leadership team have also expressed interest in moving to assist with this facility.”
Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe will go on record as one of the top five industrial investments ever made in the area. According to Industrial Authority Executive Director Brad Lofton, the company has already been rewarded $1,000,000 from the state and $750,000 from the federal government. Martin’s is expected to bring a variety of jobs with average wages of $52,000 per year, making them one of the top five highest paying employers in the county.
Runway extension By Billy Bruce
VALDOSTA — In another event that signifies the area’s continuing evolution into a growing metropolitan area, city and county officials and business leaders Thursday celebrated the completion of the extension of Valdosta Regional Airport’s main runway, Runway 17-35.
The extension actually was finished and operational in August, but closed for a week in November to repair two dips, then re-opened.
Under late-morning misty gray, drizzling skies, VIPs that included elected officials, local airport general aviation CEOs, Georgia Department of Transportation and FAA representatives, airport employees and the media were shuttled by bus to the foot of the extension for a rare chance to literally stand in the middle of the airport runway — a crime under most any other unofficial circumstance.
They watched as Mayor John Fretti, County Commissioner G. Robert Carter and Valdosta-Lowndes Airport Authority members cut a ribbon to officially declare the long-awaited extension open for business.
DayJet was supposed to fly a jet or two onto the extension as part of the ceremony, but a soupy sky prevented the exercise. An Eclipse model DayJet — a three-passenger state-of-the-art jet used as the company’s flagship aircraft — was on hand for the event, as were DayJet representatives.
Mayor Fretti interrupted his brief remarks to throw in a one-liner.
“Will somebody please tell me if an airplane is coming,” he joked, provoking laughter from the attendees who all were staring down the middle of a runway where passenger jets fly in and out daily.
“I think everyone saw the vision from the start on this,” Fretti said. “It’s just the springboard. It is up to us to make it work. It’s ours to lose now. It’s ours to take to the next level. It’s truly a proud moment to be standing on this runway.”
The extension stretches the runway from the former 6,302 foot length to 8,002 feet by adding an additional 1,700 feet for a total cost of approximately $3.9 million. The construction started in September 2005 and was finished in August 2007. A slight dip in the completed pavement also was repaired by the end of 2007.
The Scruggs Construction Company and Ace Electric were contractors for the project. The Airport Authority collected financial support from the Georgia Department of Transportation, FAA, city of Valdosta, Lowndes County SPLOST money and passenger fees to pay for the extension.
“We have been working on this project since 2003,” Valdosta Regional Airport Manager and Airport Authority Executive Director Bob Holliway told Thursday’s 30 or so attendees. “The city and the county — I cannot say enough about them. They gave us the money we asked for the first time and then when we had to go back and ask for a little more money, they gave us everything we needed. We look forward to a lot more ceremonies like this in the future.”
Now the regional airport can accept landings from any sized plane, from Air Force One to jumbo jets. The extension places the airport’s runway in third place, length-wise, behind Atlanta’s Hartsfield International Airport and Savannah International Airport.
Local officials hailed the runway work as strong, a catalyst for economic development and as a good example of how city and county government can team with the business community to beef up local infrastructure that’s paramount for recruiting new industry.
“You are foolish to wait around until you need a longer runway to build one,” Valdosta-Lowndes County Airport Authority Chairman Joe Prater said after the ceremony. “Many, many of the companies of the size and scope that we try to recruit here own their own aircraft. We want them to know we have the facilities to meet their needs. The extra runway gives us this. We don’t have to say, ‘Come and we will build this.’ We have it now. Come. It’s here. We can probably do a lot of things with this runway we haven’t even thought about.”
Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority Executive Director Brad Lofton touted the project’s importance for helping to recruit new industry and jobs.
“What they have done today is absolutely critical,” Lofton said. “An airport is one of the top three ingredients for recruiting new business. In Valdosta’s case, on all three big recruitments we achieved last year, with Steeda, True Flight Aerospace Tiger Aircraft and Martin’s Bakery, all three listed a fully functional airport as key criteria and top priority as part of their decision on whether they would come here.
Former Airport Authority Chairman Clarence Parker and current Chairman Joe Prater, Bob Holliway, Valdosta Regional Airport general manager, Lowndes County Commissioner G. Robert Carter and Valdosta Mayor John Fretti cut the ribbon Thursday during the official opening of a runway extension.
“What the Airport Authority has done, and the city and county leaders, is to demonstrate the kind of leadership that makes it easier for the Industrial Authority to do its job,” Lofton concluded.
More important airport projects are in the works.
Design work is complete for Taxiway A — parallel to Runway 17-35 — which will be overlaid with new asphalt this year. The project will enhance the safety and accessibility for all aircraft utilizing the taxiway. Design work to expand the commercial aircraft parking ramp at the commercial terminal is complete. Once construction is completed, the ramp will be able to accommodate larger aircraft, enabling the airport to accept larger passenger aircraft, and increase aircraft and passenger security, Holliway said.
“This is a very exciting day for our airport,” he said.
Airport Authority members also hope to work with local government officials to find alternative funding sources to pay for construction of more corporate T-hangars, another area of critical shortage at the airport. The authority’s budget for capital improvements, buffered by SPLOST funds, is sorely limited for meeting those needs in the near future, but authority members have pledged to seek solutions to the deficiency.
Renowned small aircraft manufacturer to locate in Valdosta
True Flight Aerospace, LLC to make Tiger Aircraft planes, creating 150 jobs and investing $3.8 million
VALDOSTA—Tiger Aircraft has landed in Valdosta, where new owners True Flight Aerospace, Inc. will locate a corporate headquarters and manufacturing facility. The company is expected to create 150 jobs over three years and invest $3.8 million.
Georgia's aerospace industry has gotten even stronger with this great commitment from True Flight," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "This year our state is celebrating 100 years of aviation and I am proud to welcome the new manufacturer of Tiger Aircraft to our state."
True Flight plans to build a 60,000 square foot facility on a 13-acre tract adjacent to the Valdosta Airport. The company plans to initially hire 25 employees, reaching full employment of 150 within three years and expects to offer salaries that are considerably higher than the average for Lowndes County. Company officials have estimated average hourly wages to exceed $20 per hour.
“Locating in Valdosta will allow us to produce a new state of the art aircraft based on the Grumman Tiger at competitive costs while maintaining the quality that our customers prize,” said Kevin Lancaster, CEO of True Flight. “We look forward to becoming a good corporate citizen in Lowndes County.”
Michelle Shaw was project manager for Georgia Department of Economic Development.
“We are so proud to have True Flight locate in Valdosta,” said Brad Lofton, Executive Director of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority. “The state, the Valdosta-Lowndes County Airport Authority, the City of Valdosta, Lowndes County, and the Industrial Authority were all flying together in formation to land another targeted high tech, high wage industry.”
True Flight Holdings LLC is a privately-held Georgia company that recently acquired Tiger Aircraft, LLC and the rights to the original Grumman designs including the updated AG-5B Tiger, a sporty single-engine model. True Flight Holdings, LLC also obtained the type certificates and rights to manufacture four models of related aircraft. True Flight Aerospace, LLC will build the aircraft under license.
The announcement is scheduled for November 1, 2007 at 2:00 pm at the General Aviation Terminal in Valdosta.
Valdosta bathtub manufacturer announces expansion
BathCraft/Jacuzzi to add 125 jobs as it relocates production line from California
Valdosta— BathCraft/Jacuzzi officials announced today that they plan to expand production at their Valdosta facility, adding 125 jobs, increasing the annual payroll by $4 million. Due to the continued escalation of operating costs in the state of California, increasing freight costs to ship the majority of production from California to the eastern US and continued success of the Valdosta operations, a decision was recently made to relocate the majority of Jacuzzi’s US production to the Valdosta location.
“John Deere is pleased become a part of the Valdosta community,” said Michael McGrady, President of Deere Precision Water. “A Valdosta facility has been part of Roberts Irrigation’s plan for several years and the expansion fits into Deere & Company’s Precision Water Growth Initiative.”
QUOTE: “We are excited that BathCraft/Jacuzzi is continuing its tradition of success here in Valdosta,” said Brad Lofton, executive director of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority. “They have been a strong partner with us for more than 20 years.”
The Valdosta facility, which was acquired by Jacuzzi Whirlpool Bath in 1998, will be the new home of Jacuzzi’s Luxury and Designer lines from California. The current 283,000 sq ft of facility space will increase by 88,500 sq ft to accommodate the growth. As the expansion progresses, the facility will employ a total of about 730 people with the majority of the new jobs being filled locally. This expansion will create a number of high level assembly positions.
QUOTE: “Because our facility in Valdosta is both productive and cost-effective, we can continue to expand,” said Johnnie Hambrick, V.P./General Manager of BathCraft. “We look forward to continued growth.”
BathCraft/Jacuzzi will utilize the QuickStart training program, working in partnership with Valdosta Tech. Michelle Shaw was the project manager for GDEcD.
QUOTE: “BathCraft/Jacuzzi is the kind of company that makes Georgia proud,” said Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “They demonstrate the promise of entrepreneurship with a success story that has lasted more than 20 years in a competitive manufacturing sector.”
BathCraft was started in 1986 by South Georgia entrepreneurs Johnny Hambrick and Lynwood Davis as a manufacturer of fiberglass bath tubs and related products targeted at the wholesale plumbing and manufactured housing industry. In 1998, the company was acquired by the Jacuzzi Whirlpool Bath family.
BathCraft/Jacuzzi currently supports Jacuzzi Whirlpool Bath’s efforts as a regional production facility, producing over 1,000 units per day.
Contact Information:
Johnny Hambrick (229) 333-0805 Ext. 213
Valdosta GA, May 24, 2007 – Roberts Irrigation Products’ move into Valdosta
Valdosta, GA – The Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority and Roberts Irrigation Products, a wholly owned subsidiary of Deere & Company, took an opportunity today to celebrate the progress of their new Valdosta production facility. A joint Press Conference was held today to announce Roberts plans to expand their organization by opening their eastern production facility in Valdosta-Lowndes County and to update the community on the progress of the facility. “The building is being transformed into a key production facility which can serve both the local market and many international markets,” said John Roberts, President of Roberts Irrigation Products. “The decision to produce in Valdosta was driven by several key factors including its skilled workforce, presence of a local plastics industry, and its proximity to major highways and ports”.
“John Deere is pleased become a part of the Valdosta community,” said Michael McGrady, President of Deere Precision Water. “A Valdosta facility has been part of Roberts Irrigation’s plan for several years and the expansion fits into Deere & Company’s Precision Water Growth Initiative.”
Roberts Irrigation Products is no stranger to this community. Through United Irrigation (Quitman, GA), Roberts Irrigation has supplied irrigation products to Georgia growers for nearly twenty years. “We will rely on the services and the people of the community to help make the factory successful”, said John Roberts. “We are going to produce irrigation products in South Georgia that will be sold throughout the world. Roberts Irrigation is proud of the choice to produce in Valdosta and looks forward to becoming a vital part of the community.”
The Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority and the State of Georgia have worked diligently to help bring this project to its successful conclusion. The state is providing $200,000.00 through a OneGeorgia Edge Grant. The Authority contributed a 1.78 acre tract of land adjacent to the existing facilities on M. E. Thompson Dr. for the expansion of the building and the extension of the rail spur and assistance in building the spur. In return Roberts will make a sizable capital investment in Valdosta-Lowndes County as well as create 65 new quality jobs over the next five years.
Roberts Irrigation Products is a manufacturer of high performance plastic micro and drip irrigation products for the agricultural, nursery, landscape, and greenhouse markets headquartered in San Marcos, CA. Founded in 1968, Roberts Irrigation Products is one of the world’s leaders in high performance precision irrigation, selling its products in over 40 countries.
John Deere (Deere & Company - NYSE: DE) is the world’s leading provider of advanced products and services for agriculture and forestry and a major provider of advanced products and services for construction, lawn and turf care, landscaping and irrigation. John Deere also provides financial services worldwide and manufactures and markets engines used in heavy equipment. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has extended its heritage of integrity, quality, commitment and innovation around the globe.
Roberts Irrigation will be hiring skilled production operators, maintenance technicians and warehouse staff in the second half of 2007. To inquire about specific employment opportunities, contact Manya Bebieff at (800) 685-5557 x126.
Contact Information:
Brian Jewell, Roberts Irrigation Products 760-744-4511
Brad Lofton, Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority 229-259-9972
Valdosta GA, May 16, 2007 – Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc. Southern Plant Site Selection
The Valdosta Lowndes County Industrial Authority and Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc. today announced plans to build an approximately 220,000-square-foot bakery facility on a 40-acre site in Valdosta-Lowndes County, Georgia. The facility will house a state-of-the-art, combination bread and roll line that is expected to begin producing and shipping product to the existing market in the fourth calendar quarter of 2008. At this new facility, Martin’s expects to employ an estimated 100 full-time people from the Valdosta Metro area.
A Christian family-owned business, Martin’s holds the honor of having the “#1 branded fresh buns and rolls sales in the nation,” as calculated by Information Resources, Inc. (IRI). The company’s efforts to “bake the best products and provide the best sales distribution support...and work together fairly with integrity” have been rewarded, as IRI also reports that Martin’s holds the highest percentage of the market share of buns and rolls in most of its major markets.
Martin’s is very pleased to have reached an agreement with the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority to locate its first satellite production facility in Valdosta-Lowndes County. It has already solicited site excavating and building construction contractors from Valdosta-Lowndes County and the surrounding regional area. The State of Georgia and local authorities have been very committed to this project and have provided significant support to induce Martin’s to choose the Valdosta-Lowndes location. Among Valdosta Metro area’s advantages are an excellent labor force pool, good interstate logistics, and excellent community support with established infrastructure.
John Peeples, the Chairman of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority stated, “We are electrified by the employment opportunities that Martin’s represents for our community, not only because of the outstanding wages and benefits they offer, but also because these are just good people. In twenty years, when we look back on today, we will be surprised if the average tenure of their employees is not longer than fifteen years.”
“The cooperation between the City of Valdosta, Lowndes County, and Industrial Authority to bring Martin's to our community is a testament to our commitment to quality industry in Lowndes County. This is a win-win situation for all involved. We look forward to a long and successful partnership with Martin's Famous Pastry Shoppe.”
-Lowndes County Chairman, Rod Casey
“Today, average wages in the Valdosta Metro area are again on the rise and I am personally delighted to welcome Martin's Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc., to the Valdosta-Lowndes County community. The marriage of Martin’s 40-year rich tradition with Valdosta’s charm, escalating economically and celebrated heritage is a win-win combination for all. The City is committed to helping Martin make its smooth transition to this area. We are especially proud that the addition of this first-class industry to our community is also bringing with it 100 new and considerably higher wage jobs! A special thanks to the Industrial Authority members and to all who work hard at contributing to our city’s economic growth.”
-Mayor John J. Fretti, City of Valdosta, Georgia
The company will participate in an official groundbreaking ceremony along with local and State dignitaries and officials on Wednesday, May 16, 2007. Site preparation and excavation is expected to commence immediately following the groundbreaking ceremony, with building construction to follow. For further information, call 717-263-9580 or go to www.mfps.com.
Valdosta recognized as one of country’s best for business
Kay Harris
VALDOSTA — Site Selection magazine, an influential voice in the nationwide economic development community, has recognized Valdosta as the third hottest Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) in its category for industrial recruitment and expansion.
For its annual Governor’s Cup awards, the magazine ranked MSAs in three groups — populations of more than 1 million, populations of 200,000 to 1 million and populations less than 200,000, with Valdosta falling into the last category. The metro area was tied with Sioux City, Iowa in third place behind Tuscaloosa, Ala. and Auburn/Opelike, Ala.
Overall, Georgia ranked fifth in the nation behind Ohio, Texas, North Carolina and Virginia.
Site Selection magazine ranked the MSAs based on new and existing industry announcements in 2006. The Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority reported 11 projects, with more than 450 jobs created and $42 million in capital investment by new and existing industries.
“I’m pleased and honored to be selected and noted by Site Selection as the third friendliest community for industry, which proves our commitment to becoming and maintaining an industry-friendly, environmentally-cautious community while preserving the highest quality of life for employees and their families,” stated Valdosta Mayor John Fretti.
The Industrial Authority changed hands in mid-2006, with former long-time director Ken Garren retiring and Brad Lofton coming on board. According to Lofton, “We have the best team, not only in Georgia, but in the entire nation working to recruit and provide expansion opportunities for our existing industry.”
Lofton serves as the Authority’s executive director, with support staff Vicki Hughes and Lu Williams. John Peeples serves as the Authority’s chairman, with members Crawford Powell, Gary Minchew, Carolyn Eager, and Jerry Jennett.
Lowndes County Commission Chairman Rod Casey said, “I’m proud of our community. We’ve worked hard to get to that position and we’ve worked hand in hand with the city and the industrial authority, as well as the surrounding communities. I think it was a good choice, the MSA deserves it, the city and county deserve it and we’re seeing the fruits of our labor.”
The Authority recently established aggressive plans to attract over 3,000 new jobs and $250 million of new investment by 2012. The board is off to a great start with the recent announcement that Steeda Autosports is moving its corporate headquarters, distribution and manfacturing facilities to Valdosta, bringing 100 jobs and a $10 million dollar capital investment.
For more information, visit www.siteselection.com.
Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority
Announces Premier Ford Performance Parts Manufacturer
100,000 sq. ft. high tech manufacturing facility will be the most advanced center in the world for performance parts manufacturing.
Valdosta, GA — The City of Valdosta, Lowndes County, and the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority is pleased to welcome Steeda Autosports to South Georgia and the Valdosta-Lowndes County community. The company, currently located in Pompano Beach, Florida, will relocate its corporate headquarters and production facility to Valdosta and will make an investment of over $10 million in a new state-of-the-art facility and high tech robotic computer numerical control (CNC) and additional cutting edge equipment.
The company’s announcement decision is strong evidence of an effective Industrial Authority marketing campaign targeting top-tier companies in Florida and California. Brad Lofton, Executive Director, notes that Georgia is rapidly becoming a destination state for high end manufacturing and logistics projects. “By locating in Valdosta-Lowndes County, Steeda will have the benefit of the twenty (20) million Floridian consumer market within one day’s truck drive, while simultaneously enjoying the pro-business advantages of being in Georgia. Low insurance premiums, utility rates and aggressive state statutory benefits were all critical decision-making components.” Valdosta Technical College was also a major draw for the company.
Ford Motor Company has named Steeda Autosports as its Number 1 Performance Aftermarket Company, in the 38 billion dollar performance market. The company works directly with Ford on the SEMA Technology initiative for engine calibration and performance aftermarket parts. As a Ford Motor Company licensee, Steeda Autosports manufactures a variety of parts with the Ford logo. The company manufactures performance engine parts, chassis components, drivetrain parts, exterior and interior restyling parts for Mustang, Focus, F-Series and Fusion vehicle lines. Steeda also produces serialized Steeda vehicle, like the Q Series of Mustangs.
In addition to the manufacturing facility, the complex will also serve as a distribution center for Nitto tires as well as leading performance aftermarket products, like Tokico struts and shocks, Baer brakes and JBA and Magnaflow performance exhaust systems.
Steeda will initially hire between forty and fifty (40-50) employees ramping up to over one hundred (100) within thirty-six (36) months. The average wage is significantly above the state average manufacturing wage and will include mechanical engineers and professional personnel.
John Peeples, Chairman, Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority, stated, “Steeda represents everything the Authority looks for in a prospect: strong economic investment, significant employment covering a wide array of skills and opportunities at above-average compensation, diversification of the local economy, and a presence that expands this community’s significance on the state, national, and global level. The fact that Steeda enjoys a strong reputation for being an outstanding corporate citizen ices the cake.”
“We are pleased to welcome Steeda to Georgia,” said Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “The company’s decision to locate in our state is an excellent testament to our strong partnerships and rich resources for business.”
The project will locate on twenty-five (25) acres within the Industrial Authority’s Azalea East Industrial Park across from Letica Corporation.
Regal Marine awarded by J.D. Power and Associates
VALDOSTA — Regal Marine was honored by J.D. Power and Associates as being ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction of Express Cruisers (24-33 feet)” as well as “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Small Runabouts (16-19 feet).” The ceremony took place Thursday, Feb. 15, at the Miami International Boat Show.
Existing Industries in Lowndes County will benefit from new job tax credits
Lowndes County—Under Georgia’s Business Expansion and Support Legislation (BEST), companies in Lowndes County engaged in manufacturing, warehousing and distribution, processing, telecommunications, tourism or research and development are eligible for tax credits that can be claimed against their state corporate income tax liability. The State incentives are meant to stimulate job growth. In 2006, when a company creates ten (10) net new jobs, the company is eligible for a job tax credit of $1,750 per job that can be claimed against 50% of their corporate income tax liability. The incentives have now nearly doubled. As of 2007, companies in Lowndes will now be eligible for $3,000 per job and can claim the credits against 100% of their state corporate income tax liability. For a company creating 50 jobs, this will mean a five-year tax credit equivalent to $750,000 and a five-year increase of $312,500 over and above the 2006 levels. In many cases, the tax credits are large enough to more than compensate for additional machinery and equipment.
“This is good news, and a nice way to begin the New Year” according to Brad Lofton, Executive Director of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority. “Eighty percent of new jobs are still created from existing industry, and the increase in State incentives in 2007 for Lowndes will mean more local incentives for employment growth and corporate profitability. The Industrial Authority staff has met directly with several existing industry in the last six months with plans for expansion in physical assets and employment. The change in tax credits will be an added bonus for those seeking to expand their employment base next year. The combination of 400 new jobs created by the V-LCIA in 2006 and targeted employment expansions will continue the trend of full employment in the state’s newest MSA.”
The Industrial Authority strongly encourages companies creating additional employment to capitalize on the tax incentives and to communicate with V-LCIA staff when employment expansions occur. If you would like to schedule a visit with Industrial Authority staff to discuss incentives for growth, please contact our office at 229-259-9972.
How it works:
--Employers are eligible for a baseline credit of $2,500/job when they create ten or more new jobs.
--An additional $500/job credit is added for businesses locating in a community that is a member of a Joint Development Authority (JDA).
--Another $500/job credit is extended for existing industries that have been in the Lowndes County community for three years or more.
--The jobs must be created in year one and credits claimed in years 2-6. Credits claimed, however, but not used in any taxable year, may be carried forward for ten (10) years.
--For a company creating 50 jobs: 50 times $3,000= $150,000 carried for five years is $750,000
--For more information: www.dca.state.ga.us "Back To Top"
2006 Review of New Jobs/Capital Investment - Brad Lofton
2006 has been a banner year for the Authority with announcements totaling 398 new jobs created and $41,355,000 dollars in new capital investment from new industry locations and existing industry expansion. If the number and quality of active projects the Authority is currently working on is an indication of how 2007 will go, we will continue the strong momentum of new jobs and investment.
Valdosta/Lowndes County 2006 Announcements| N/E | Company | City | Jobs | Investment | Type | Product | Sq. Ft. |
| New | Valdosta Optics Lab | Valdosta | 15 | $14,000,000 | R&D/Manufacturing | Diamond Laser Optics | 10,000 |
| New | Organic Milling of GA | Valdosta | 175 | $18,000,000 | Manufacturing | Organic Cereal | 350,000 |
| Exp. | TM Poly Film, Inc. | Valdosta | 30 | $1,000,000 | Manufacturing | Polyethylene | 30,000 |
| New | Versatile Packagers | Valdosta | 6 | $600,000 | Service | Packaging | 30,000 |
| New | Louisville Ladder | Valdosta | 10 | $400,000 | Distribution | Ladders | 36,000 |
| Exp. | FedEx Freight | Valdosta | 20 | $3,600,000 | Service | Trucking | 100,000 |
| New | Scales Express | Valdosta | 75 | $1,000,000 | Service | Trucking | 15,000 |
| Exp. | J. Reeves & Co. | Hahira | 5 | $280,000 | Distribution | AC parts | 10,000 |
| New | Village Metal Works | Hahira | 6 | $500,000 | Manufacturing | Custom Iron Gates | 15,000 |
| New | A-Tech | Valdosta | 16 | $875,000 | Manufacturing/Dist. | Doors/Windows | 45,000 |
| Exp. | BathCraft/Jacuzzi | Valdosta | 20 | $500,000 | Manufacturing | Bathroom Fixtures | 200,000 |
| Exp. | Digger Specialties | Valdosta | 20 | $600,000 | Manufacturing/Dist. | Vinyl Fence & Decking | 38,000 |
Announcing Valdosta Optic Labs
Valdosta, GA – (October 23, 2006) The Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority is proud to announce the opening of South Georgia’s newest hi-tech, ground breaking industry, Valdosta Optics Lab. The Authority began working with this company in June of 2005. Nominated by the Authority, a representative of the parent company, Onyx Optics, Inc., was a participant in this year’s 2006 Georgia Red Carpet Tour which visited Valdosta as the host city.
Onyx Optics, Inc. is a privately held California corporation which was founded in 1992 by Helmuth Meissner, Ph.D., a physicist from Yale University. Onyx currently has seventeen employees and over $4 million in yearly revenues. The company is headquartered in Dublin, California and is ISO 9001:2000 Certified. Onyx manufactures bonded crystal laser components using its patented AFB® (Adhesive-Free Bond®) technology. The components are critical to High Power Solid State Laser (HPSSL) systems that protect U.S. soldiers by disabling improvised explosive devises (IEDs) and for missile defense in land, air and ship-borne platforms. Onyx is currently working with the key players in the defense industry as well as with the major government laboratories and agencies. The patented technology of Onyx, as well as its precision polishing processes, will complement the program at Valdosta Optics Lab, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Onyx Optics, by providing for the development of an Adhesive-Free Bond® Optical Diamond Manufacturing program to maximize performance for a new class of laser and communications devices for defense and homeland security applications.
The plan for Valdosta Optics Lab is to create a reliable domestic source of chemically vapor deposited diamond (CVDD) for optical and semiconductor applications, both commercial and defense-related, independent of foreign suppliers. Furthermore, Valdosta Optics Lab is looking to create a technology center for optical and electronic CVDD applications in Valdosta, in cooperation with Valdosta State University (VSU) faculty and students. A 915 MHz CVD Diamond Deposition system will be housed at Valdosta Optics Lab for the growth of high purity CVD diamond whose properties reflect those of perfect single crystal diamonds. The goal is to create high technology jobs in the Valdosta area and increase the number of technology jobs over the years at Valdosta Optics Lab, Inc. and also in the greater Valdosta-Lowndes County area. Valdosta Optics Lab would also like to establish an R&D effort at VSU resulting in the development of commercially viable products. Valdosta Optics Lab will also strive to establish manufacturing processes of high optical quality CVDD wafers and coatings for the development of commercially viable technologies for future innovative high power optoelectronic and electronic devices.
Valdosta Optics Lab is very excited about bringing new, unique technology to Valdosta which will spearhead, through product development, the creation of new jobs making the area a spring board for innovative research that will contribute to the economic development of the region and nation. Onyx Optics is very appreciative of the support it has received from the Valdosta community. Specifically, Mayor Fretti, Lowndes County Board of Commissioners, Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority, Georgia Power, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Valdosta State University and Valdosta Technical College has provided unbelievable support in welcoming Valdosta Optics Lab to this community. A very special thanks to Congressman Jack Kingston for all his leadership and support in helping to open this new facility which will bring high tech R&D to the Valdosta area.
New tech industry coming to Lowndes
VALDOSTA — More than 16 months of work paid off for the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority Monday as it announced the coming of South Georgia’s newest high-tech, groundbreaking industry: Valdosta Optics Lab.
Valdosta Optics Lab will create a reliable domestic source of chemically vapor deposited diamond for optical and semiconductor applications, both commercial and defense-related, independent of foreign suppliers, according to the Industrial Authority. In cooperation with Valdosta State University, the company plans to create a technology center and conduct research and development through a mutually beneficial partnership with the university.
This partnership will create an innovative way of growing the labor force within the community by allowing students the opportunity to participate in applied research and development with the hopes of having jobs to keep them in the area after graduation.
The goal in bringing this industry to the area was to create high-technology jobs in the Valdosta area and increase the number of technology jobs over the years at the facility and in the greater Lowndes-Valdosta area, according to the Industrial Authority. This new technology will spearhead, through product development, the creation of new jobs, making the area a “spring board” for innovative research that will contribute to the economic development of the region.
Nominated by the Authority, a representative of the parent company, Onyx Optics, Inc., was a participant in the 2006 Georgia Red Carpet Tour, for which Valdosta served as the host city.
“The support that we have received from the community here has been absolutely amazing and really can’t be replicated,” Onyx Optics, Inc., President Corinna Meissner, said. “We went all over the country to try and find a place we could open this kind of business and really this is the best place that we found.”
Meissner said the support of the community members and local and national delegation played a large role in the company’s decision to open its newest facility in the Valdosta-Lowndes County area.
In the early stages of operation, the company will employ seven to 10 individuals at wages well above the average pay scale, which will increase by approximately 10 jobs per year over the next 10 years. In the coming years, Valdosta Optics Labs is expected to contribute $140 million directly and indirectly to the area’s economy, according to the Industrial Authority.
“This is a very, very important day for us, not just for our Industrial Authority, but for the entire community,” Industrial Authority Executive Director, Brad Lofton, said.
Components manufactured by the company are critical to High Power Solid State Laser (HPSSL) systems that protect United States soldiers by disabling improvised explosive devises (IEDs) and for missile defense in land, air and ship-borne platforms, according to Onyx Optics, Inc.
“One of the primary goals will be to neutralize IEDs. These cost the lives of innumerable soldiers and it’s really our goal and our hope that this technology can save the lives of those soldiers that are out there every day risking their lives for us,” Meissner said.
A number of community leaders, including VSU President Ronald Zaccari, Mayor John J. Fretti, Commission Chairman Rod Casey, State Sen. Tim Golden and Rep. Jack Kingston spoke at the event, expressing their excitement for the positive economic impact of the project and welcomed Onyx Optics to the area.
VALDOSTA — It won’t be long before the smell of freshly baked cookies, crackers, cereals and other products will be wafting over the city from the Organic Milling bakery.
Organic Milling of Georgia purchased the former home of Crackin’ Good from the last owner, Consolidated Biscuit Company, for $4 million. The plant, located on Forrest Street near downtown Valdosta, is essentially a turnkey operation, with the sale including equipment used in making cookies, crackers, moon pies and other products.
“The plant is in great shape, but it’s been under-utilized for three years and idle for six months,” said General Manager Rod Willcox. A former vice president of manufacturing for Nabisco, Willcox is originally from Great Britain and has many years of experience in the food service business, including Campbell Soups, Pepperidge Farms and Keebler.
Organic Milling originated in California and is known for its organic, kosher and natural products. “They wanted an East Coast presence,” said Willcox, adding that the local plant will be transporting products to the Midwest, the East Coast, and Canada, as well as exporting. The production lines for crackers, cookies and moon pies are already in place, and Willcox said lines for cereal and bars, such as granola, breakfast, energy and fruit bars, will be added.
The company has already hired 12 former managers through a temporary agency and will be adding employees full-time to the payroll slowly over the next few months. Former Crackin’ Good and Consolidated Biscuit employees will receive preferential treatment in the hiring process.
“They can hit the ground running, and they know the plant better than I do,” Willcox said. Plans call for 150 employees over the next year and up to 400 once the plant is back in full production mode.
Organic Milling will produce products under its own labels as well as under contract for other companies. The production line will receive its first major test the week of Sept. 18, and Willcox said he hopes to have more customers signed to contracts soon.
“We have an established company and a good reputation, with a great facility here, so we’re in a good position to win contracts,” he said, adding that the company will be looking to re-establish relationships with local vendors and suppliers also.
When Consolidated Biscuit closed in the spring, nearly 100 employees lost their jobs with close to 150 others having lost positions at the facility over several years prior to Crackin’ Good selling the facility.
Plant Manager Mark Felton of Valdosta is one of the displaced employees, although he retained a position with Consolidated Biscuit. However, it required him to relocate and he is “thrilled” to be back in Valdosta and looking forward to working with Organic Mills.
According to Willcox, the Valdosta plant was the only manufacturing facility of its type on the market in the country, as when most companies close a site, they sell off the equipment rather than allow a potential competitor to take it over.
The Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority has been working with Organic Milling and the state of Georgia to assist in the company’s transition to the state. Retiring executive director Ken Garren said, “What makes me the most excited about all this is seeing those workers coming back.”
Mayor John Fretti said he is personally thrilled to have Organic Milling in the community, preventing the loss of an ideal manufacturing facility. “Anyone can already notice a flurry of activity, and the prospective employment numbers are exciting. I’m proud of the Industrial Authority members, and they share with me the pleasure in seeing this site once again contributing to our city’s economic growth. We also hear that some of the previous employees are gaining employment with Organic Milling. Job well done!”
Those interested in seeking employment with Organic Milling may fill out an application at the Georgia Department of Labor.
Announcing Organic Milling to Open In Valdosta
Valdosta, GA – (September 8, 2006) The Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority is proud to announce the arrival of Organic Milling of Georgia, a new Georgia corporation, to our community. Their decision to locate in Valdosta was made due to our location and an available experienced workforce. The Authority has been working with Organic Milling since April of 2006. Their new home is the existing Crackin’ Good/Consolidated Biscuit facility on Forrest Street.
With 40 years of private label success, Organic Milling has been providing retailers with unique, great tasting breakfast cereals and premium granolas. Organic Milling is one of the first companies to pioneer healthy, all natural granola. They specialize in “Better For You” and Organic cereal products that can provide profitable growth for the private label market in today's high demand categories.
The existing plant was purchased from Consolidated Biscuit in July 2006 to satisfy a need for an east coast facility because of company growth and the increasing transportation cost. This was an ideal facility due to the location and the existing plant being equipped for the production of cookies and crackers. Initially a cereal line will be installed to supply new and existing customers. In the future other organic products will be produced and the company will be bringing in new technology. Organic Milling will be looking at a broad range of customers including manufacturing for large food companies as well as the private label market. This facility will also produce and market products under their own label. In addition they will be exploring additional manufacturing business opportunities in other markets. The Valdosta facility will be organic and kosher certified. The plan is to employ 150 people within 12 months of beginning production ramping up to 400 within three years. The general manager of the facility is Rod Willcox from Saginaw, Michigan and the plant manager is Mark Felton of Valdosta.
Organic Milling plans to re-open the small store located outside the gate on Forrest Street.
Quote from Ken Garren - Executive Director of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority:
“This is the type of project and business that is the most satisfying, to be able to be a part of the process with new owners re-opening a long time industry and see the employees walking around in the facility. This is a wonderful feeling of accomplishment for this community.”
Quote from Mayor John Fretti:
“"I am personally thrilled to have Organic Milling in our community and in the process of opening the site where we all remember Crackin' Good Bakery to have been. Anyone can already notice a flurry of activity, and the prospective employment numbers are exciting. I'm proud of the Industrial Authority members, and they share with me the pleasure in seeing this site once again contributing to our city’s economic growth. We also hear that some of the previous employees are gaining employment with Organic milling. Job well done!"
Lofton chosen to serve as Industrial Authority Director
Kelli Hernandez
VALDOSTA — The search has come to an end and David Bradley “Brad” Lofton from Guyton has been selected to serve as the executive director for the Valdosta Lowndes County Industrial Authority.
The Authority voted unanimously following an executive session at Tuesday’s meeting to offer Lofton the position after reviewing a number of viable candidates and initially narrowing the search to three.
Lofton is currently the president and CEO of the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority and the executive director of the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce. Lofton brings a wide range of experience to the position including time served as the executive director of the Lee County Chamber of Commerce and the Lee County Development Authority.
After receiving his bachelor’s degree from Mercer University in Macon, Lofton went on to earn a master of business administration from Georgia Southwestern State University. Lofton is currently pursuing a doctoral degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and is expecting to graduate in 2008.
In October 2004, Lofton was named by Georgia Trend Magazine as one of the top “40 under 40,” which recognized the 40 most influential Georgians under the age of 40.
“I am humbled, honored and feel incredibly blessed that the board would give me the privilege of serving them. We (Lofton and his wife) are excited to move back to that part of the state and look forward to hitting the ground running,” Lofton stated. “It’s time to go to work.”
Finalized negotiations should be completed over the remainder of the week, and Lofton stated that he hopes to assume daily responsibilities at the Authority by early next week.
Lofton also stated in a previous interview with the Valdosta Daily Times, “For both personal and professional reasons, there is nowhere else in the nation that my wife and I would prefer to be than in Valdosta and Lowndes County. My background in creating high paying jobs and industrial investment in Georgia of over $250 million in just the past two years is directly aligned with the Industrial Authority Board’s very clear and articulate vision to increase Lowndes County’s median income and to dramatically expand the tax base with new and sustainable world-class industrial investment.”
Lofton will fill the position with the retirement of long-time Executive Director Ken Garren. Garren, who has served on the Authority for nearly 10 years, announced his retirement Oct. 19, 2005, but agreed to stay on through the transition of hiring a replacement.
Convergys Expands to 800 Employees
Jennifer Tanner
VALDOSTA — A few years ago, an international company named Convergys opened its doors in Valdosta. A leading business support services company to large companies around the world, it serves clients from more than 70 countries in three vital areas: Customer care, human resources, and billing.
The company chose the Azalea City due to its dependable workforce and employee potential from several colleges, a military base and many outlying cities. Valdosta’s call center handles customer care for DirecTV.
Since 2000, Convergys has enjoyed a very rewarding and long-standing relationship with the Valdosta community. It has proven to be extremely attractive, in terms of employment opportunities and flexibility, with college students, single parents and retirees. Over this period of time, the company has experienced several expansions.
Due to client needs and business growth, Convergys has undergone another hiring expansion. The Valdosta facility is looking to hire approximately 200 people by the end of September. The process began several weeks ago and will last through this month, ending in conjunction with an annual DirecTV promotion, the NFL Sunday Ticket. The additional employees will boost the headcount to 800.
“This is our biggest and most exciting time of the year,” Keith Blake, Valdosta’s site manager, said. “We are rapidly approaching and gearing up for our NFL season.”
According to Blake, employees routinely receive promotional incentives and many valuable, exciting prize giveaways. They also enjoy a professional, friendly, comfortable and safe workplace. Starting pay ranges from $7.50 to $8.75 an hour. Convergys offers employees comprehensive training, competitive wages and flexible scheduling.
In addition, new employees can take advantage of tuition reimbursement after day one and a competitive benefits package that includes full medical, dental, and vision coverage, which is available after 90 days of employment.
After one year of employment, employees can earn additional benefits that include eligibility to participate in the company-sponsored 401K and pension plan.
“Convergys strives to make a positive difference in the lives of its valued employees as they continue to maintain the highest level of customer service for our client,” Blake said.
He believes that Convergys will be a solid contributor as well as a good corporate citizen to the Valdosta community. The company’s goal is to maintain its status as one of the premier employers of choice and continue to keep and attract more of the talented people within Valdosta and the surrounding communities as it continues to grow.
Potential candidates should have a minimum of a high school diploma/GED, computer skills and some customer-service experience. Applicants can apply by calling 1-888-484-HIRE (4473) or apply on-line at www.convergys.greatjob.net.
Lowe's to Expand Distribution Center in Valdosta
Company to invest over $20 million, create 100 jobs
ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that Lowe's Companies, Inc. is expanding its regional distribution center in Valdosta , Georgia , investing a minimum of $20 million in the facility and creating over 100 jobs. The distribution center currently employs approximately 800 people.
“We are very pleased that Georgia has the kind of business-friendly environment that encouraged Lowe's to grow its investment here,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Business expansions are a major source of economic development, and we will continue to promote them as well as recruit new industries to the state.”
Lowe's 770,000 square-foot Valdosta regional distribution center opened in 1996. It supplies products to more than 100 Lowe's stores in Georgia , Alabama , Mississippi and Louisiana and is the main staging area for re-supplying Lowe's stores in the region impacted by Hurricane Katrina.
The expansion includes an addition of 350,000 square feet to the existing facility and a new stand-alone structure totaling 210,000 square feet. It will continue to meet the company's growing store base in the Southeast by allowing the distribution center to handle additional inventory, including major appliances.
“Lowe's Valdosta distribution center has played a key role in the past nine years in getting our Southeast customers the products they want, when they want them, at everyday low prices,” said Mike Mabry, Lowe's executive vice president of logistics and distribution. “Because of the great workforce in the Valdosta area, we're pleased to be able to create more jobs and enhance our investment in the state.”
Lowe's traditional “board-cutting” to announce the expansion was held at the Valdosta plant and was attended by Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Craig Lesser, State Senator Tim Golden, Lowe's Vice President of Distribution Steve Szilagyi, City of Valdosta Mayor John Fretti, Crawford Powell, chairman of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority and other local officials.
“Lowe's has always been one of our top corporate citizens and partners,” said Mayor Fretti. “We are very pleased for the expansion—not only for the increase in jobs, but for the sustainability of the current employment base that they provide. We look forward to the continuing partnership.”
“We applaud Lowe's for capitalizing on the vitality of South Georgia 's economy and workforce,” stated Commissioner Craig Lesser. “It's certainly a dynamic area of t
Construction on the expansion began this month and is expected to be completed by spring 2006. Lowe's nationwide distribution network includes 11 regional distribution centers.
With fiscal year 2004 sales of $36.5 billion, Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a FORTUNE® 50 company that serves approximately 11 million customers a week at more than 1,125 home improvement stores in 49 states. Based in Mooresville , N.C. , the 59-year old company is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world. For more information, visit www.lowes.com .
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