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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.
Published
July 28,
2008 11:28 pm -
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
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Governor Perdue recognizes the City of
Valdosta on being selected as a finalist on ESPN’s
“TitleTown”
ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue issued a
proclamation today congratulating Valdosta,
Georgia as being selected as one of ESPN’s 20
finalists for the honor of being named “TitleTown
USA.”
ESPN’s “TitleTown” is an ongoing contest
featured on ESPN’s flagship show, “SportsCenter,”
where sports fans throughout the nation were
allowed to submit nominations for what they
considered to be “TitleTown USA.” In all more than
3,000 different applications were received and out
of those ESPN selected 20 finalists. Valdosta, the
only city in Georgia to be named a finalist, is
competing against major cities such as Los
Angeles, New York, Chicago, Boston and Detroit.
The winner will be selected by sports fans
throughout the nation who can submit their vote on
ESPN’s website.
Valdosta was selected due to the city’s
unprecedented athletic achievements. In all, the
city of Valdosta claims 439 championships of some
type. The city, aptly nicknamed “Winnersville,” is
most notably known for football giants Valdosta
High School, Lowndes High School and Valdosta
State University.
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 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. Click here to view
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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.
Click here to view the
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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.
Click here to
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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.
Click here to view the
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Renowned small aircraft manufacturer to locate
in Valdosta 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. Click here to view the
press release Click here to view the Valdosta
Daily Times Article - November 1 Click here to view the
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Valdosta bathtub
manufacturer announces expansion 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: Click here to view the press
release | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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: Brad Lofton, Valdosta-Lowndes
County Industrial Authority 229-259-9972
Click here and here to view the
Valdosta Daily Times Articles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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. Click here to
view the press release | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority 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. Click here and here to view the Valdosta Daily
Times Articles - 3/16/07 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2007 State Incentives Should have a Substantial
Impact on New Job Creation and Bottom Line Efficiencies
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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Bakery back in operation
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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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: Quote from Mayor John
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Lofton chosen to serve as Industrial Authority
Director 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 D | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||