Walmart Dairy Plant Opens, Strengthening Valdosta-Lowndes Economy

December 14, 2025

Valdosta and Lowndes County celebrated the grand opening of Walmart’s new milk processing facility, a significant milestone for the local economy and food processing sector. The more than 300,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility represents a $350 million investment. It is expected to create more than 400 new jobs and will provide competitive wages and benefits.

“This facility is a tremendous win for Valdosta, Lowndes County, and the region,” said Niki Ogletree, President and CEO of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority. “Walmart’s dairy operation provides high-paying jobs to our community while further strengthening our strong food processing base. It also reinforces our position as a premier location for large-scale manufacturing and agribusiness investment.”

Community leaders, elected officials, industry partners, and residents gathered to celebrate the milestone, recognizing the facility as another example of how strategic partnerships and workforce readiness continue to drive economic growth and opportunity in Valdosta and Lowndes County.

“This project truly represents what can be accomplished when partners at every level come together with a common goal,” she said. “The City of Valdosta, Lowndes County, our utility partners, and the Georgia Department of Economic Development all contributed. This was a team effort from start to finish. That collaboration allowed us to move quickly, solve challenges, and deliver a project that will create lasting economic impact for our community and the state of Georgia.”

Speaking to the opportunities the project creates for residents and future generations, Valdosta Mayor Scott James Matheson said the investment represents a turning point for the city.

“The Walmart Dairy Plant marks a new chapter for Valdosta. This is the kind of investment that changes the trajectory of a city,” said Matheson. “It brings high-quality jobs, new opportunities for our young people, and a surge of economic development that will be felt throughout South Georgia. Valdosta is rising to the moment, and this partnership signals a future filled with growth, energy, and unmatched potential.”

Pointing to Lowndes County’s continued momentum as a regional economic leader, Chairman Bill Slaughter of the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners highlighted the significance of the investment.

“Walmart’s new facility is a tremendous win for Lowndes County,” Slaughter said. “This project further underscores our position as a regional leader for economic development. We are proud to celebrate its opening and appreciate the hard work and collaboration of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority in bringing this project to fruition. This is exactly the kind of growth that strengthens our community for generations to come.”

The facility enhances Walmart’s end-to-end supply chain for affordable, high-quality milk. This project advances Walmart’s long-standing commitment to U.S. manufacturing and local sourcing.

Sourcing milk directly from local dairy farmers, the Valdosta facility will process and bottle a variety of milk options. These include gallon and half-gallon containers of whole, 2%, 1%, skim, and 1% chocolate milk for Walmart’s Great Value and Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark brands. The facility will supply more than 650 Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs across the Southeast. This helps ensure customers have consistent access to fresh, affordable dairy products.

For more information about economic development opportunities in Valdosta-Lowndes County, visit www.buildlowndes.com.