As servants to the public, the mission of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority is to recruit new industry and maintain existing industry. The creation of quality jobs and a stable working environment for the citizens of this area is one of the Authority’s top goals. The members and staff of the Industrial Authority are sensitive to the needs of the citizens, and will always be open to comments or suggestions. We invite you to attend one of our regular meetings, held the third Tuesday of the month in the Industrial Authority Conference Room located on 2110 N. Patterson St. at 5:30 PM.

Through careful planning and stable growth, the Industrial Authority is prepared to take Valdosta and Lowndes County to new heights of unparalleled economic success in the 21st century.

The Industrial Authority is a joint organization that oversees industrial and economic development in Valdosta and Lowndes County. In 1960 the Authority was formed as an amendment to the Georgia State Constitution. It is made up of a board of five members: two city appointees, two county appointees, and one joint appointee. The terms of the members are five years. The offices of the board are Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary. Day-to-day operations are conducted by the staff of the Industrial Authority consisting of a director, assistant director, administrative assistant, and staff intern.

The V-LCIA has a wide range of powers from which to promote economic development in the city and the county. The Authority can buy and sell property. It is charged with recruiting and providing assistance to new incoming industries as well as supporting our ever important existing industries.

Until recently, the Industrial Authority was a part of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce. Reorganization separated the two and the Authority has been its own entity since 1993. As its name indicates, the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority receives funds from both the city and county governments. This means that the Authority is maintained through public funds.

Once source of revenue for the Authority is through SPLOST, or the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. Through use of SPLOST funds, your Industrial Authority is constantly making improvements to its industrial parks. These amount to constant upgrades of its water, sewer and road systems. Infrastructure improvements such as these are vital to maintain a safe and state-of-the-art working environment for industry. Also, funds are sometimes used to acquire new land, as was the case with Perimeter West Business Park, which was purchased through SPLOST funds.

The Authority has land holdings in seven industrial parks located throughout the county. These are: Hahira Business Park, Perimeter East Industrial Park, Perimeter West Industrial Park, Azalea East Business Park, Azalea West Business Park, Azalea City Industrial Park, and the Lake Park Industrial Park.

Here are the assets of Lowndes County and Valdosta that we highlight to perspective industries:

Situated along Interstate 75, Lowndes County has eight exits for easy access to Valdosta. We are also less than an hour away from I-10, which runs from Jacksonville to Los Angeles. This prime location is why Valdosta and Lowndes County are regional retail and service centers for the surrounding area. USA TODAY has picked Valdosta as a city that will achieve metropolitan status in the next three years. The current projected population of Valdosta is approximately 45,000, ranking us as the 10th largest city in Georgia. Lowndes County has a projected population of about 86,000, but serves 322,000 in a 13 county region.

We have five industrial parks located throughout the county. This creates a diversified industrial base because of our location and population. Our existing industries are growing. Recent expansions account for over $105 million of new investment, and hundreds of new jobs. Lowe’s Southeastern Distribution Center and Sterling Pulp Chemical, American Freightways, Atlanta Gas Light Company and Postle Distributors, Inc. add their names to a list of recent newcomers. Current expansions prompted by the Authority have brought 500 acres of newly developed property, and over 7,500 jobs have been created in the past decade alone.

Valdosta has a diversified buying public. Valdosta State University has a quarterly enrollment of almost 10,000 students. Moody Air Force Base, with a wing population of 4,885 and 725 civilian employees make up our military family. Valdosta has the size, potential and location to suit any need.

Your Industrial Authority is constantly striving to improve and refine itself. Current Authority Members include:
  » Carolyn Eager, of Smith-Barney
  » Gary Minchew, of Gary Minchew Realty
  » John Peeples Homeland Defense Corp. & Mosquito Misting
  » Crawford Powell, of Southeast Sales
  » Jerry Jennett, Georgia Gulf Sulfer
Our Executive Director is Brad Lofton. His Assistant Director is Vicki S. Hughes and Administrative Assistant is Lu Williams.

The Authority recently revised its by-laws. The original by-laws were adopted with the enacting legislation in 1960, and were changed to reflect a more modern system of economic development. The Authority has also formed a committee with the City and the County to explore modifying its charter. The committee should produce recommendations in time for the current years Georgia Legislative Assembly session.

The Strategic Plan for the Industrial Authority is also being revised. This plan oversees the goals and mission of the Authority, as well as its expectations for the future. A part of this will be a Master Plan for its five industrial parks. This master plan could enable the Authority to correctly place industry in the right places, and ensure secure growth for years to come.

Your Industrial Authority has relocated. As of December 1999 the Industrial Authority moved its offices to 2110 N. Patterson St. The Authority's new offices will make it more accessible to the public it serves.