News

November 10, 2026 Valdosta, GA: The One Valdosta-Lowndes (OVL) Board of Directors announced today that Mary Beth Brownlee will step down as director, effective November 16, 2026, to become Deputy Chief Officer of Advancement with the Valdosta State University Foundation. Brownlee has led OVL since its 2023 launch, helping establish the organization and advance its

Years ago, I wrote an article called “Expecting the Good” about what it means to do community work and public service. Expecting the good isn’t always easy, especially today, when people’s first instinct seems to be to question and examine before we trust. I think if we stop, get to know one another, and really

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 20, 2026   The free event on November 15 brings the residents together through food, fellowship, and building community connections. VALDOSTA, Ga. –Lowndes County residents are invited to pull up a chair, share a meal, and join meaningful conversations at the inaugural Lowndes Longest Table, Sunday, November 15, at 4 p.m.,

As part of One Valdosta-Lowndes’ Vibrant & Safe Initiative, we’re working alongside residents, community leaders, businesses, and local government to address one of our region’s biggest challenges—housing affordability. Our participation in  𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐲 was more than attending a neighborhood celebration. It was an opportunity to listen, learn, and build relationships with the people

A new regional career academy launching this fall aims to give South Georgia students access to specialized workforce training years before they receive their diplomas. This initiative reflects a shared commitment by 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐚-𝐋𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐬 and its partners to prepare students for success and strengthen the future workforce of South Georgia. This fall, WIN College &

Mary Beth Brownlee, director of One Valdosta Lowndes, explains that through the Synergy 2030 Campaign, community leaders, residents, and partners are working together to address one of the most pressing challenges facing Valdosta and communities across Georgia — housing affordability. In partnership with Georgia Tech, a neighborhood housing redevelopment study was completed to help guide

Nearly 7 million American jobs went unfilled in February, according to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, and experts say a lack of qualified candidates is a key reason. In South Georgia, where leaders have described the region as a “vocational education desert,” new efforts are underway to expand job training opportunities for high school

Valdosta, GA—The WIN (Workforce Innovation Network) Regional College and Career Academy (CCA) Board of Directors has named Jason Van Nus as the organization’s inaugural chief executive officer, effective July 1, 2026. Van Nus brings extensive experience in workforce development and education, including eight years leading work-based learning and youth apprenticeship programs at Lowndes High School.

Big things are happening for the future of our workforce—and it starts right here in South Georgia.  Hear from Mary Beth Brownlee, Director of One Valdosta-Lowndes, as she shares an exciting update on the WIN (Workforce Innovation Network) Regional College & Career Academy. With six partnering school systems and a strong collaboration with Wiregrass Georgia Technical