|
- Demographics
- ABC's
- Networks
- Corporate Coaches
- Library
| |
| Population
Demographics For Lowndes County |
| |
Percent
Change |
| |
1990 Census |
|
2000 Census |
|
2006 Estimate |
|
2011 Projection |
|
1990 to
2000 |
2006 to
2011 |
Total Population |
75,980 |
|
92,115 |
|
95,559 |
|
98,465 |
|
21.2% |
3.0% |
Population Density (Pop/Sq Mi) |
148.8 |
|
180.4 |
|
187.1 |
|
192.8 |
|
21.2% |
3.0% |
Total Households |
26,311 |
|
32,654 |
|
33,598 |
|
34,294 |
|
24.1% |
2.1% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Population by Gender: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Male |
37,201 |
49.0% |
45,811 |
49.7% |
47,667 |
49.9% |
49,236 |
50.0% |
23.1% |
3.3% |
Female |
38,779 |
51.0% |
46,304 |
50.3% |
47,892 |
50.1% |
49,229 |
50.0% |
19.4% |
2.8% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Population
by Race/Ethnicity |
| |
Percent
Change |
| |
1990 Census |
|
2000 Census |
|
2006 Estimate |
|
2011 Projection |
|
1990 to
2000 |
2006 to
2011 |
White |
50,566 |
66.6% |
57,112 |
62.0% |
56,817 |
59.5% |
56,833 |
57.7% |
12.9% |
0.0% |
Black |
24,239 |
31.9% |
31,309 |
34.0% |
33,801 |
35.4% |
35,686 |
36.2% |
29.2% |
5.6% |
American Indian or Alaska Native |
228 |
0.3% |
343 |
0.4% |
173 |
0.2% |
99 |
0.1% |
50.4% |
-42.8% |
Asian or Pacific Islander |
637 |
0.8% |
1,143 |
1.2% |
1,678 |
1.8% |
2,086 |
2.1% |
79.4% |
24.3% |
Some Other Race |
295 |
0.4% |
991 |
1.1% |
1,382 |
1.5% |
1,865 |
1.9% |
235.9% |
35.0% |
Two or More Races |
|
|
1,217 |
1.3% |
1,707 |
1.8% |
1,891 |
1.9% |
|
10.8% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hispanic Ethnicity |
990 |
1.3% |
2,447 |
2.7% |
2,827 |
3.0% |
3,164 |
3.2% |
147.2% |
11.9% |
Not Hispanic or Latino |
74,993 |
98.7% |
89,668 |
97.3% |
92,732 |
97.0% |
95,301 |
96.8% |
19.6% |
2.8% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Population
by Age |
 |
Percent
Change |
| |
1990 Census |
|
2000 Census |
|
2006 Estimate |
|
2011 Projection |
|
1990 to
2000 |
2006 to
2011 |
0 to 4 |
6,196 |
8.2% |
6,593 |
7.2% |
7,528 |
7.9% |
8,033 |
8.2% |
6.4% |
6.7% |
5 to 14 |
11,694 |
15.4% |
13,711 |
14.9% |
13,361 |
14.0% |
13,857 |
14.1% |
17.2% |
3.7% |
15 to 19 |
6,695 |
8.8% |
7,440 |
8.1% |
6,949 |
7.3% |
6,509 |
6.6% |
11.1% |
-6.3% |
20 to 24 |
7,906 |
10.4% |
10,290 |
11.2% |
8,156 |
8.5% |
6,780 |
6.9% |
30.2% |
-16.9% |
25 to 34 |
13,441 |
17.7% |
14,642 |
15.9% |
17,043 |
17.8% |
16,817 |
17.1% |
8.9% |
-1.3% |
35 to 44 |
10,674 |
14.0% |
14,168 |
15.4% |
13,698 |
14.3% |
14,411 |
14.6% |
32.7% |
5.2% |
45 to 54 |
6,858 |
9.0% |
10,466 |
11.4% |
11,765 |
12.3% |
12,608 |
12.8% |
52.6% |
7.2% |
55 to 64 |
5,277 |
6.9% |
6,534 |
7.1% |
7,857 |
8.2% |
9,317 |
9.5% |
23.8% |
18.6% |
65 to 74 |
4,261 |
5.6% |
4,613 |
5.0% |
5,103 |
5.3% |
5,660 |
5.7% |
8.3% |
10.9% |
75 to 84 |
2,355 |
3.1% |
2,788 |
3.0% |
2,995 |
3.1% |
3,279 |
3.3% |
18.4% |
9.5% |
85+ |
639 |
0.8% |
870 |
0.9% |
1,104 |
1.2% |
1,194 |
1.2% |
36.2% |
8.2% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Median Age: |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Population |
28.8 |
|
30.2 |
|
31.6 |
|
33.4 |
|
4.9% |
5.7% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Households
by Income |
|
Percent
Change |
| |
1990 Census |
|
2000 Census |
|
2006 Estimate |
|
2011 Projection |
|
1990 to
2000 |
2006 to
2011 |
$0 - $15,000 |
8,561 |
32.5% |
7,355 |
22.5% |
6,709 |
20.0% |
6,426 |
18.7% |
-14.1% |
-4.2% |
$15,000 - $24,999 |
5,289 |
20.1% |
5,204 |
15.9% |
4,773 |
14.2% |
4,526 |
13.2% |
-1.6% |
-5.2% |
$25,000 - $34,999 |
4,427 |
16.8% |
4,778 |
14.6% |
4,567 |
13.6% |
4,640 |
13.5% |
7.9% |
1.6% |
$35,000 - $49,999 |
3,918 |
14.9% |
5,430 |
16.6% |
5,063 |
15.1% |
4,675 |
13.6% |
38.6% |
-7.7% |
$50,000 - $74,999 |
2,823 |
10.7% |
5,371 |
16.4% |
6,179 |
18.4% |
6,347 |
18.5% |
259.0% |
2.7% |
$75,000 - $99,999 |
661 |
2.5% |
2,369 |
7.3% |
3,027 |
9.0% |
3,529 |
10.3% |
258.4% |
16.6% |
$100,000 - $149,999 |
338 |
1.3% |
1,363 |
4.2% |
2,138 |
6.4% |
2,673 |
7.8% |
303.3% |
25.0% |
$150,000 + |
269 |
1.0% |
784 |
2.4% |
1,142 |
3.4% |
1,478 |
4.3% |
191.5% |
29.4% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Hhld Income |
$30,569 |
|
$43,343 |
|
$47,413 |
|
$50,287 |
|
41.8% |
6.1% |
Median Hhld Income |
$23,314 |
|
$32,682 |
|
$36,769 |
|
$39,866 |
|
40.2% |
8.4% |
Per Capita Income |
$10,903 |
|
$15,365 |
|
$18,409 |
|
$19,303 |
|
40.9% |
4.9% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Employment
and Business |
|
Percent
Change |
| |
1990 Census |
|
2000 Census |
|
2006 Estimate |
|
2011 Projection |
|
1990 to
2000 |
2006 to
2011 |
Age 16 + Population |
56,986 |
|
70,512 |
|
76,609 |
|
78,900 |
|
23.7% |
3.0% |
In Labor Force |
37,643 |
66.1% |
44,536 |
63.2% |
46,072 |
60.1% |
47,194 |
59.8% |
18.3% |
2.4% |
Employed |
32,492 |
86.3% |
39,268 |
88.2% |
41,516 |
90.1% |
42,294 |
89.6% |
20.9% |
1.9% |
Unemployed |
2,308 |
6.1% |
2,398 |
5.4% |
1,226 |
2.7% |
1,259 |
2.7% |
3.9% |
2.7% |
In Armed Forces |
2,842 |
5.0% |
2,870 |
6.4% |
3,330 |
4.4% |
3,641 |
4.6% |
1.0% |
9.3% |
Not In Labor Force |
19,343 |
33.9% |
25,976 |
36.8% |
27,207 |
35.5% |
28,065 |
35.6% |
34.3% |
3.2% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Employees (Daytime Pop) |
|
|
|
46,727 |
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Establishments |
|
|
|
|
4,604 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Emp in Blue Collar Occupations |
|
|
17,422 |
44.4% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Emp in White Collar Occupations |
|
|
21,846 |
55.6% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Housing
Units |
Percent
Change |
| |
1990 Census |
|
2000 Census |
|
2006 Estimate |
|
2011 Projection |
|
1990 to
2000 |
2006 to
2011 |
Total Housing Units |
28,902 |
|
36,551 |
|
41,218 |
|
44,802 |
|
26.5% |
8.7% |
Owner Occupied |
15,705 |
54.3% |
19,865 |
54.3% |
20,377 |
49.4% |
20,761 |
46.3% |
26.5% |
1.9% |
Renter Occupied |
10,609 |
36.7% |
12,789 |
35.0% |
13,221 |
32.1% |
13,533 |
30.2% |
20.5% |
2.4% |
Vacant |
2,595 |
9.0% |
3,897 |
10.7% |
7,620 |
18.5% |
10,508 |
23.5% |
50.2% |
37.9% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Vehicles
Available |
Percent
Change |
| |
1990 Census |
|
2000 Census |
|
2006 Estimate |
|
2011 Projection |
|
1990 to
2000 |
2006 to
2011 |
Average Vehicles Per Hhld |
1.70 |
|
1.60 |
|
1.80 |
|
1.90 |
|
-8.6% |
5.7% |
0 Vehicles Available |
2,671 |
9.2% |
2,641 |
8.1% |
2,190 |
6.5% |
1,871 |
5.5% |
-1.1% |
-14.6% |
1 Vehicle Available |
8,967 |
31.0% |
11,107 |
34.0% |
11,423 |
34.0% |
11,713 |
34.2% |
23.9% |
2.5% |
2+ Vehicles Available |
17,273 |
59.7% |
18,906 |
57.9% |
19,985 |
59.5% |
20,710 |
60.4% |
9.5% |
3.6% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Martial
Status: |
Percent
Change |
| |
1990 Census |
|
2000 Census |
|
2006 Estimate |
|
2011 Projection |
|
1990 to
2000 |
2006 to
2011 |
Age 15+ Population |
58,106 |
|
71,811 |
|
74,670 |
|
76,575 |
|
23.6% |
2.6% |
Married, Spouse Present |
30,552 |
52.6% |
32,065 |
44.7% |
34,018 |
45.6% |
35,372 |
46.2% |
5.0% |
4.0% |
Married, Spouse Absent |
1,918 |
3.3% |
6,650 |
9.3% |
6,717 |
9.0% |
6,714 |
8.8% |
246.7% |
-0.0% |
Divorced |
4,970 |
8.6% |
7,242 |
10.1% |
7,518 |
10.1% |
7,693 |
10.1% |
45.7% |
2.3% |
Widowed |
4,133 |
7.1% |
4,363 |
6.1% |
4,533 |
6.1% |
4,656 |
6.1% |
5.6% |
2.7% |
Never Married |
16,524 |
28.4% |
21,491 |
29.9% |
21,891 |
29.3% |
22,149 |
28.9% |
30.1% |
1.2% |
|
| |
| Educational
Attainment |
Percent
Change |
| |
1990
Census |
|
2000
Census |
|
2006
Estimate |
|
2011
Projection |
|
1990
to 2000 |
2006
to 2011 |
Age 25+ Population |
43,505 |
|
54,081 |
|
59,565 |
|
63,286 |
|
24.3% |
6.2% |
Grade
K - 8 |
4,896 |
11.3% |
2,765 |
5.1% |
3,489 |
5.9% |
3,370 |
5.3% |
-43.5% |
-3.4% |
Grade
9 - 12 |
8,220 |
18.9% |
8,521 |
15.8% |
8,247 |
13.9% |
7,796 |
12.3% |
3.7% |
-5.5% |
High School
Graduate |
13,836 |
31.8% |
16,535 |
30.6% |
18,932 |
31.8% |
20,685 |
32.7% |
19.5% |
9.3% |
Some College,
No Degree |
7,519 |
17.3% |
11,613 |
21.5% |
12,858 |
21.6% |
13,639 |
21.6% |
54.4% |
6.1% |
Associates
Degree |
1,960 |
4.5% |
3,221 |
6.0% |
4,240 |
7.1% |
5,055 |
8.0% |
64.3% |
19.2% |
Bachelor's
Degree |
4,258 |
9.8% |
6,748 |
12.5% |
7,662 |
12.9% |
8,373 |
13.2% |
58.5% |
9.3% |
Graduate
Degree |
2,806 |
6.5% |
3,891 |
7.2% |
4,137 |
7.0% |
4,368 |
6.9% |
38.7% |
5.6% |
No Schooling
Completed |
|
|
787 |
1.5% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Current year data
is for the year 2006 , 5 year projected
data is for the year 2011.
Demographic data © 2006 by Experian/Applied
Geographic Solutions.
Traffic Count data © 2005 by GDT. All rights
reserved.
|
© 2006. DecisionData is brought to you
by Decision Data Resources. Technology provided by
SRC, LLC.
|
The
ABC’s of Starting a Business in Lowndes County |
Dear Entrepreneur,
Congratulations on your decision
to open a new business. The Valdosta Chamber of Commerce
wants to support and help your business succeed in
any way we can. We have put together this booklet
to help get you started. The ABC’s of
Starting a Business in Lowndes County booklet
is a guide intended to serve as a roadmap for the
entrepreneur. We at the Valdosta Chamber of Commerce
understand the amount of information you will need
to start your own business can be tremendous. The
ABC’s is here to help. See the S.E.E.D.S. Center
for additional resources. |
| What
is an Entrepreneur |
• Someone who
organizes and maintains a business venture
• Someone who takes on the risk and does
what he/she must in order to make a profit
• Someone who can coordinate the resources
available to meet a need |
| Before
you go any further determine your entrepreneur potential
by taking the entrepreneur challenge. |
| Take
the Entrepreneur Test - Click
Here |
Do
You Have What It Takes to Start a Business? Click
here to find out... |
| To
Read the entire Booklet Online Click on the link
below: |
| Click
to view the entire online booklet in printable
PDF format. The
Online Booklet includes topics discussed and also
the topics below. You may also pick up a Booklet
at your S.E.E.D.S. Center. |
 You
need Adobe Reader to view PDF's, you may download
it by clicking here. |
| Additional
Topics Included in the Online Booklet: |
| Determining
Cash Needed to Start a Business. |
| I. Legal Aspects of Starting a
Business. |
II. Licensing
A. Business License
B. Zoning
C. Building Construction/ Renovation/ Occupancy
D. Health Permits
E. Trade Name Registration
F. Federal Licensing
G. State Licensing
|
III. Tax Information
A. Sales and Use Taxes
B. Federal Excise Taxes
C. State Excise Taxes
D. Federal Income Taxes
E. Estimates State Income Taxes
F. Employer Taxes
G. Federal Tax Identification Numbers |
IV. Starting Utility Services
A. Establishing Water, Sewer, and Garbage
Service
B. Establishing Gas Service
C. Establishing Electric Service
D. Establishing Telephone Service
|
V. Labor and Safety Regulation
Information
A. Educating Yourself on Labor/ Safety Issues
B. OSHA
C. Employer Tax Responsibilities
D. Application, Hiring, and Termination
Process
E. Where to Find Your Labor Source |
| VI. Financing Information |
VII. Business Service Providers
A. Downtown Valdosta
B. Agribusiness
C. International Trade
D. Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center
E. Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
F. Georgia Tech’s Economic Development Institute
G. The Georgia Entrepreneur & Small
Business Coordinating Network
H. E-Commerce
I. Minority Financial Assistance |
| VIII. One Year Plan for Entrepreneurs |
| IX. Resource Directory |
| X. Glossary of Terms |
| Appendix |
|
Leads
Groups -
Making your Business, Our Business |
|
What is a Leads Group?
A Leads Group is made up of professionals
(usually sales generators) who meet weekly to exchange
sales leads? Leads Groups create great networking opportunities
allowing you to build business relationships that will
expand you customer base.Leads Groups help send you sales
upward.
What does a Leads Group do?
They give a quick introduction
(30 sec) of themselves to the group. The featured
speaker then takes 15-20 minutes to explain and advertise
his or her company and its products or services. The
last 20 minutes leads are exchanged among members.
What else about a Leads Group
do I need to know?
Leads Groups meet
weekly. To become a member of Leads Group, the business
professional must be a member of the Chamber.
Only one industry
representative per Leads Group is allowed (example:
1 Insurance agent, 1 Real Estate Agent, 1 Florist,
etc….)
By joining a Leads
Group members are committing to participate and play
an active role in the business community. Therefore,
members are expected to attend every meeting possible. Because
of limitation on representatives per industry, four
unexcused.
Being the featured
speaker gives your business the chance to shine.
How do I exchange a lead?
Try to attend each
meeting with at least one lead for another member.
You can bring business cards, fliers, or hot or cold
lead information.
In order to respect
the privacy of customers and clients, leads should
not be given without the client’s prior consent. Leads
Group members should exercise proper judgment in soliciting
leads given in the Leads Group. In short, use
professional courtesy.
|
Leads Groups allow
you to train “unofficial”
salespeople for you company.
Sample Meeting:
12:00-12:10pm
Mix/Mingle/Refreshments
12:10-12:20pm
30 Second Introductions
12:20-12:40pm
Featured Speaker (provides refreshment
|
Don’t
miss this valuable opportunity to be a part of our
newest Leads group.
Contact the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce,
and get involved in this great networking opportunity! |
|
Small
Business Owners Network |
Owning
and running a business can be an uphill struggle.
There are fellow business owners experiencing similar
struggles.
Come hear from
other owners who share your concerns. |
Highlights
Network with other
Small Business Owners
Learn about various resources
available to assist small business growth
and prosperity
Grow your business
through various methods of growth
and exposure
Succeed...Owning
a business is a challenge.
Rise to that challenge by attending the Small Business
Owners Network |
|
Jane
Shelton, Chairperson
Meeting Times: 4th Tuesday of Every
Month
8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
Meeting Place:
Two Friends Cafe' & Market |
|
For
More Information Contact:
Evan Butler-Sands at 247-8100
ebutler@valdostachamber.com |
| Corporate
Coaches |
|
The
Corporate Coaches Program is designed to provide
small businesses, 6-months a nd
older, access to invaluable experience and advice
through a one year mentoring relationship.
Coaches will
provide suggestions and advice to help business
owners move their business to the next level,
and achieve the goals that they have identified.
Coaches will
be matched with a business based on industry
type and experience. This is a free service. |
Mission: |
To pair seasoned
business professionals with growing businesses
and budding entrepreneurs, creating an
exchange of ideas and a professional relationship
used to strengthen young businesses and help
them go from "Good to Great" in Valdosta-Lowndes
County. |
Goals: |
Provide business
advice to budding entrepreneurs based on personal
and professional experience.
Collaborate
to build successful entrepreneurial businesses
in our community that have a positive impact
on the economy and create new jobs. |
Legal
Arrangements: |
Each Corporate Coach and
Entrepreneur will sign an agreement with stated
goals, a hold harmless statement, and confidentiality
statements before beginning the program. |
Expected
Commitment of Corporate Coaches and Entrepreneurs |
It is anticipated
that the coaching relationship will last at least
12 months. 
It is anticipated
that the Coach should be available for at least
2 to 4 hours per month
for coaching.
The Coach will
agree to a schedule of meetings once every week
or two over an initial
three-month period and at least once a month
thereafter for up to one year.
Meeting schedules
should also be mutually decided by the participants.
Coaches and
Entrepreneurs who are or one day may be competitors
or where other conflicts of interest exist
will not be matched.
While
commerce between the Coach and the Entrepreneur
is not prohibited it is not the intent of the
Chamber's Corporate Coaches program. |
Qualification
of Entrepreneurs |
 Emerging
Lowndes County-based businesses with a history
of increasing revenues and the commitment to
dedicate to the coordination of the Program
are eligible to participate as Entrepreneurs.
These businesses must be willing to share information
about their operations with the Coach and consider
the advice of the Coach. Participants must
be committed to following program rules, guidelines
and processes.
Entrepreneurs
must submit an application to the Corporate
Coaches Steering Committee with all information
completed in order to be assigned a Coach.
To qualify
to be assigned a Coach, Entrepreneurs must provide
evidence of an established business. He or she
should be in business for more than 6 months.
It should be anticipated that the business is
intended to be (or become) the entrepreneur's
primary source of income.
* Either party
may request to cease the relationship at any
time.
* Corporate
Coaches is a free service |
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