Each initiative will be executed and supported alongside regional partners. However, to deliver tangible results that deliver our mission and create our vision, we need the support and investment of the private, non-profit, and public sectors.

Goal: Stronger civic engagement, increased connectivity, and access to new ideas will provide community and business leaders with the tools and systems to affect positive change in Lowndes County.

STRATEGIES:

• Create a community-wide culture of social cohesion and enhanced civic engagement through skills, action, and commitment.
  • Identify community programs that foster connectivity and authentic relationships. Examples may include but are not limited to Valdosta-Lowndes County Longest Table Dinner.
  • Establish programs to integrate community and economic development best practices to address complex issues, such as a rotating Leadership Involvement Networking Knowledge (LINK) trip to communities that excel at addressing identified issues on a biennial basis. These sessions should result in action plans with measurable outcomes.
• Create a comprehensive and consistent community brand that demonstrates the unique identity and assets of Lowndes County and its municipalities and strengthens community pride.
• Create and implement a communications plan that shares a well-presented story of Lowndes County and the Greater Valdosta area. Elements should include but not be limited to,
  • Annual editorial calendar schedule.
  • Social media strategy that includes leveraging local influencers and community groups.
  • Traditional media outreach plan.
  • Civic group outreach.

Establish a tool to measure community attitudes and social engagement.

Goal: Workforce development and entrepreneurship are key economic development priorities in Lowndes County and South Georgia. Fulfilling the needs of employers through a comprehensive and collaborative approach to talent attraction, development, and retention is essential to the region’s economic growth and prosperity. Access to employment in high-poverty areas also strains the local and regional workforce pipeline and gives our community opportunities to better serve and improve economic prosperity for all.

STRATEGIES:

• Connecting people to the world of work.
  • Create a College and Career Academy to match current and future workforce development needs with area businesses to grow students’ career performance and success throughout the greater Valdosta and Lowndes County region.
  • Work with educational partners to expand and promote apprenticeships, summer internships, work-based learning opportunities, teacher externships, and other training aligned with industry needs that result in job placement.
  • Work with Wiregrass Georgia Technical College to maximize the Strategic Industry Initiative programs (Automotive, Healthcare, Aviation, Commercial Truck Driving, Cyber, and Manufacturing) and enhance partner support from Moody AFB, Valdosta Regional Airport, SGMC Health, and other strategic industry partners as appropriate.
  • Increase the number of businesses participating in Skillbridge, a federal program that assists in transitioning Moody personnel to civilian jobs.
  • Enhance the region’s agriculture and ag-business sectors by supporting innovative approaches to workforce development and preparedness.
• Connecting resources to empower workforce potential.
  • Work with regional partners to drive clear strategies to respond to workforce needs, including housing, transportation, and childcare, such as creating a comprehensive suite of workforce services to address those challenges in an integrated capacity (i.e., South Georgia Works!).
  • Create and implement a comprehensive talent development plan to train the future workforce, upskill the existing workforce, and attract additional workforce to Lowndes County.
• Connecting existing and potential workforce to the community.
  • Establish a meaningful Town & Gown movement with Valdosta State University to engage students and build a more robust relationship between the community and campus.
  • Promote the value and accessibility of the region’s STEAM programs, such as the Children’s Imagination Station and the STEAM Center at Valdosta State University, as educational assets and enhanced experiential learning opportunities for all of South Georgia.
• Strengthen Business Ecosystem.
  • Leverage Moody Air Force Base as a key economic driver of our region—both in terms of infrastructure and workforce development.
  • Partner with Valdosta Regional Airport Authority to assess opportunities and develop actionable strategies to leverage the Valdosta Regional Airport for increased passenger flights and aviation-focused economic development.
  • Work in concert with the Valdosta-Lowndes County Development to support existing business and industry to ensure there is a connected business environment across Lowndes County, aligning employer needs with talent development and retention.
  • Partner with the Valdosta-Lowndes County Tourism Authority to catalyze growth around the hospitality industry and tourism-related events and assets that demonstrate quality of life and greater economic impact for the region.

Goal: In South Georgia, a sense of place is celebrated as a unique calling card for business and industry and an effective retention and recruitment strategy for talent and families. One Valdosta-Lowndes will partner with existing entities throughout Lowndes County to brand our place as the capital of South Georgia, including the cities of Dasher, Hahira, Lake Park, Remerton, and Valdosta.

STRATEGIES:

• Planning for community growth and connectivity.
  • Develop a 2045 Vision & Master Plan for Growth throughout Valdosta and beyond including:
    • A vibrant Creative Placemaking Program.
    • Enhanced Arts & Entertainment District.
    • Expanded food and entertainment opportunities.
    • Strengthened code enforcement to address public safety factors impacting the downtown Valdosta business district.
    • Expanded commercial core creating visual, physical, and economic connectivity to the historic Southside neighborhood and commercial district.
    • Revitalized destination retail and entertainment venues in Lowndes County.
    • Connected key commercial corridors, assets, and residential redevelopment areas related to SGMC Health, Valdosta State University, and Downtown Valdosta along Ashley & Patterson Streets using design overlay districts and economic development incentives.
  • Actively participate in the county and cities’ comprehensive planning processes to ensure businesses and under-served populations have a voice in the plan. OVL will advocate for the comprehensive planning process and consider what is needed to connect our communities.
  • Collaborate with the public and private sectors for infrastructure development plans (water and sewer) to meet future needs.
  • Leverage the recommendations of the Georgia Tech Housing Market Needs Assessment & Neighborhood Redevelopment Planning Services study to develop and implement a comprehensive housing strategy.
  • Launch a “Fresh Eye Program” to identify desired amenities for the growth and retention of talent in the community as opportunities arise, such as the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce’s Valdosta Young Professionals and Young Gamechangers.

• Improving quality of life.
  • Build robust community forums that create community-driven, action-oriented strategies to address root causes for critical issues such as:
    • Public safety and crime
    • Mental health and homelessness
    • Livability and beautification
  • Provide microgrants to address blight areas and create beautification opportunities in key target areas (including South Side, Lake Park, Ashley Street, Exit 16 area) and develop a communitywide clean-up program, such as Keep Greater Valdosta Beautiful.
  • Explore increasing quality-of-place initiatives that serve as a driver for economic and workforce retention. Examples include but should not be limited to expanded trails, re-envisioned parks, and greenspace for both active and passive recreation.
  • Partner with the Lowndes County, Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks & Recreation Authority, and the City of Valdosta to develop and implement a master plan for the Withlacoochee and Little Rivers Park property that creates educational and recreational value.

• Leverage a Gateway to Georgia to:
  • Develop an I-75 Interchange Corridor Alliance for business development and beautification along Lowndes County exits.
  • Partner with the Georgia Department of Transportation, Lowndes County, and the Cities of Lake Park, Valdosta and Hahira to implement gateway development plans at key interchanges and as the Gateway to Georgia along I-75.

• Develop an I-75 Interchange Corridor Alliance for business development and beautification along Lowndes County exits.

• Partner with the Georgia Department of Transportation, Lowndes County, and the Cities of Lake Park, Valdosta and Hahira to implement gateway development plans at key interchanges and as the Gateway to Georgia along I-75.