March 2017 Features

  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Valdosta Wins IHG 2016 Torchbearer Award

    March 31, 2017

    The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Valdosta, Georgia received the IHG 2016 Torchbearer Award, the company's most prestigious award.

  • Metro Valdosta’s Unemployment Rate Declines to 4.9% in February

    March 30, 2017

    The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced today that Metro Valdosta’s unemployment rate in February was 4.9 percent, down five-tenths of a percentage point from 5.4 percent in January. In February 2016, the rate was 5.3 percent.

  • Registration Open for Georgia’s Supplier Opportunities and Aerospace Resources Conference in Macon

    March 28, 2017

    In order to connect Georgia aerospace and defense suppliers with potential partners and resources to increase their capabilities and meet the needs of the global marketplace, the Supplier Opportunities and Aerospace Resources (SOAR) Conference will take place in Macon this year. The event is April 20 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Middle Georgia State University.

  • South Georgia Coalition for Employment Second Annual Job Fair Set for April 20th

    March 27, 2017

    The South Georgia Coalition for Employment hosts its second annual job fair on 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, April 20, at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center located at 1 Meeting Place.

  • Georgia Technology Summit Speakers Offer Literal and Digital Food for Thought

    March 27, 2017

    During last Thursday’s GTS conference at the Cobb Galleria Center in Atlanta, Keynote Speaker Caleb Harper made a quantum leap from his traditional-farming, family background when he spoke of his “Food Computer”—an open source, agricultural technology platform. Harper used the example of the 14-month, life cycle of an apple from harvest, to cold storage for months where it loses 90% of its antioxidants, eventual distribution and stocking at retail, vis-à-vis his food movement technology.

  • Banker’s Roundtable to Improve Quality of Life for Persons with Disabilities

    March 24, 2017

    The Valdosta Mayor’s Council for Persons with Disabilities will host a Banker’s Roundtable on March 27, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., to brainstorm the financial accessibility issues faced by individuals with disabilities and to seek solutions for improved services.

  • Locate South GeorgiaLEADS Graduates First Class of Leaders Dedicated to Impact, Growth

    March 23, 2017

    The inaugural class of Locate South GeorgiaLEADS presented by Electric Cities of Georgia graduated last week in Albany-Dougherty County at the Flint RiverQuarium Thursday night on March 16, following an eight-month leadership development experience that covered seven visits to South Georgia communities to better understand the economic and growth needs of the region.

  • Valdosta Mayor and City Council Set Goals for FY2018

    March 21, 2017

    The Valdosta Mayor and City Council held their annual retreat on March 11-12. The annual retreat allows for the city’s top officials to spend an uninterrupted length of time discussing important issues and setting a number of goals for Fiscal Year 2018.

  • 5 Reasons to Attend The 9th Annual Georgia Logistics Summit

    March 20, 2017

    It’s Summit season again, and this is going to be the best one yet. Yes, we say that every year, but it just keeps getting better! This year will see the return of Summit staples like an address from Governor Deal, an update on the state of transportation in Georgia, and many other great presentations and discussions on industry best practices.

  • Metro Valdosta’s Unemployment Rate Rises to 5.5% in January

    March 16, 2017

    The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced today that Metro Valdosta’s unemployment rate in January was 5.5 percent, up four-tenths of a percentage point from 5.1 percent in December. In January 2016, the rate was 5.3 percent.

  • Georgia Recognizes Four Companies as Small Business Rock Stars

    March 14, 2017

    The Georgia Department of Economic Development, along with the Georgia Economic Developers Association recognized Georgia’s 2017 “Small Business Rock Stars.” GDEcD and GEDA hosted a luncheon where four Georgia companies were honored for being an outstanding, unique and impactful small business.

  • Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony a Huge Success

    March 10, 2017

    On Feb. 25th, the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame honored eight highly accomplished athletes during their annual induction ceremony held at the historic Macon City Auditorium. The group included football player Keith Brooking, golfer Laura Coble, tennis coach Manuel Diaz, football and track athlete Willie Gault, basketball player Matt Harpring, football player Garrison Hearst, athletic leader/golf coach Liz Murphey and football player Jeff Saturday.

  • Changing Lives Annual Dinner Fundraiser Brings Awareness to Area Homelessness

    March 09, 2017

    Lowndes Associated Ministries to People, Inc. held its annual Changing Lives Campaign Fundraiser Dinner with keynote speaker, Randall Godfrey on March 2nd at Valdosta State University. The annual campaign dinner is one of LAMP’s largest fundraisers and this year, the organization added entertainment from the Valdosta High School chorus under the leadership and guidance of Taurence Phillips.

  • Registration Open for Georgia Small Business ROCK STARS Awards Luncheon on March 13th

    March 09, 2017

    Georgia holds the title as the number one state in the nation in which to do business—a title it has held for four years in a row. And when 98 percent of Georgia companies (employing under 100) are considered small businesses, it makes sense the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) would want to salute these business owners with Georgia Small Business Week taking place March 13-17.

  • Evans Named SGMC's Interim Chief Executive Officer

    March 08, 2017

    Heath A. Evans, FACHE, has been named South Georgia Medical Center’s interim Chief Executive Officer. For the past year, Evans served as the Chief Operating Officer at SGMC. As CEO, Evans will be responsible for setting strategy and direction, modeling the organization’s culture and behavior, building the executive team, and managing and directing the hospital’s resources.

  • Azalea House Uses Local Talent, Charm to Create Unique Southern Experience at Masters

    March 08, 2017

    The Masters Tournament returns to Augusta on April 3-9, and if you are looking to enjoy the week of golf amid true Southern hospitality, you’ll want to check out The Azalea House. According to General Manager, Chris DeMain, this premier hospitality facility, located on Azalea Drive in the National Hills neighborhood just across the street from the course, is fully focused on hospitality and understanding client entertainment.

  • 8th Annual Cotton Blossom Roundup Rodeo Announced in Nashville

    March 06, 2017

    The Berrien County Chamber of Commerce, the Nashville-Berrien Rotary Club, and event title sponsor Harveys Supermarket have partnered together to bring the Eighth Annual Cotton Blossom Roundup Rodeo back to Nashville, Georgia. Professional cowboys and cowgirls will ride into town Friday, March 24th through Saturday, March 25th at 7:30 p.m. to compete in bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, tie down calf roping, team roping, cowgirls breakaway roping, steer wrestling, cowgirls barrel racing, and bull riding.

  • The Chamber Hosts Annual Awards Dinner, Sponsored by Ameris Bank

    March 03, 2017

    Ameris Bank was the presenting sponsor for the 2017 Chamber Annual Awards at the Rainwater Conference Center, held Thursday, February 23rd to honor deserving businesses and business professionals in the Valdosta area.

  • Malcolm Mitchell Day Honors Hometown Champion March 6th

    March 01, 2017

    The City of Valdosta and the Valdosta City Schools System will honor Malcolm Mitchell at a community celebration on Monday, March 6th, at 6 p.m. The event will be held at the Bazemore-Hyder Stadium and will publicly celebrate Mitchell’s outstanding success as an athlete, an author, and as a mentor to young people everywhere.