Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority (VLCIA) kicks off its Target Cluster Analysis with Atlanta consultant Market Street Services with the Project Initiation, Community Profiles and Familiarization Tour reviewing and comparing numerous factors – from demographics and economics to quality of life and infrastructure.

The Target Cluster Analysis will identify the most important existing and emerging targets for the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority to pursue. The target cluster analysis will rely heavily on public input and will engage both public- and private-sector as well as Market Street will analyze occupational clusters and concentrations, and review industry level wage and employment growth.

“When the economy turns around, we want to be ready.” VLCIA Board Chairman, Roy W. Copeland, “Now is definitely the right time to be conducting a comprehensive study of this nature. It’s a culture of expectations here; people want Lowndes County to be even better. This analysis looks at Lowndes County from a labor standpoint: what kind of jobs can this community support.”

“Though Lowndes County has tremendous assets,” Andrea Schruijer, executive director of Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority, “with limited economic development resources and the volatile realities of today’s economic climate, it is imperative that the Industrial Authority and its partners target the sectors of economic activity that have the greatest potential to create new jobs, retain existing jobs, spur innovation, and raise incomes within the community.”

The Target Business Analysis is scheduled to be presented in August.