Valdosta’s Multi-year Economic Surge: Prosperity Abounds 

March 7, 2024

Straddling the Georgia-Florida border, Valdosta, Lowndes County continues to prosper with an influx of new and expanding industries.

While 2023 was a banner year, Valdosta's multi-year economic surge provides a broader picture. In the past four years, Valdosta, Lowndes County acquired nine industries, including GAF, Bimbo QSR, and Arglass, plus 28 existing industry expansions. These investments added 1,150 jobs and $742.3 million in capital investment. 

Valdosta is focused on its next wave of growth, thanks to the Walmart milk-producing facility that will bring 390 jobs and a $350 million investment. The Walmart processing plant will open in 2025 and boost the state's agricultural industry by producing fresh dairy products using ingredients sourced from regional farmers.

Producing a workforce pipeline to meet current and future industry needs comes from a substantial regional labor force of nearly 160,000 within a 45-mile drive. 

The Valdosta and Lowndes school systems provide a steady employment base with a combined 94% high school graduation rate and nearly 4,000 Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) students. In addition, separated and retired military personnel from Moody Air Force Base offer a steady stream of highly skilled workers.

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College offers more than 100 career and technical programs, and Valdosta State University has 200 academic programs leading to associate, bachelor's, master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees.

Capital of South Georgia

Local leaders know that a community's economic stability is only as strong as its broad-based efforts to provide a high quality of life.

As the "Capital of South Georgia," Valdosta's pristine location continues to attract families to its quality educational system, robust housing market, diverse recreational opportunities and entertainment, and thriving arts community.

In the heart of Downtown Valdosta, recent renovations of two iconic structures celebrate the past while embracing the future. The Lowndes County Courthouse has been a landmark for over a century. A recent renovation and historic rehabilitation returned the stately building to its original grandeur.

The McKey building was initially built in 1906, and through the years, it has served many uses, including a church and office space. After two years of renovations, the historic building was transformed into Valdosta's first boutique hotel, featuring luxurious rooms and an elegant event space.

The Turner Center for the Arts is creating a space for children to have a magical experience as they discover local industries and STEAM careers. The Meta Shaw Coleman Children's Imagination Station will open in 2025 and encourage children to explore different forms of tinkering and artmaking while learning to use their creative and problem-solving skills.

 For more information, visit www.buildlowndes.com or contact Andrea Schruijer, executive director of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority, at aschruijer@buildlowndes.com