March 2019 Features

  • Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce Receives Five-Star Accreditation

    March 29, 2019

    After an intensive self-evaluation process, the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce received the five-star accreditation designation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for the second time. The Chamber received accreditation in1989, and has been five star accredited since 2013.

  • Leadership Development Helping Build a Stronger, More United South Georgia

    March 28, 2019

    Melissa Dark and Elena Carné own small businesses more than 75 miles apart in rural south Georgia. Through a regional program, led by the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development at the University of Georgia, the two have shared information that has resulted in better business practices.

  • Healthcare Plan Headed to Governor’s Desk for Signature

    March 28, 2019

    State Rep. Jodi Lott (R-Evans) stood in the well Monday afternoon and urged House members to support SB 106, the Governor’s “Patients First Act.” “This is a big-picture debate. Health care is complicated,” said Lott, one of Governor Brian Kemp’s floor leaders in the House. “It’s complex. But voting for SB 106 is the start of moving the ball forward in Georgia. This is the first part. It’s the first piece of the pie. If this bill fails it won’t change the fact that healthcare is one of the Governor’s top priorities.”

  • Georgia Power, DOE Finalize $1.67B Loan Guarantee for New Vogtle Units

    March 25, 2019

    U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and North America's Building Trades Unions President Sean McGarvey joined Southern Company Chairman, President and CEO Tom Fanning, Georgia Power Chairman, President and CEO Paul Bowers and hundreds of workers and special guests at the Vogtle 3 & 4 nuclear expansion project near Waynesboro, Georgia, to announce the closing of approximately $1.67 billion in additional Department of Energy (DOE) loan guarantees for the new Vogtle units.

  • Better Way Products to Create More Than 86 Jobs in Lowndes County

    March 20, 2019

    The Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority announced that Better Way Products, a subsidiary of Patrick Industries, Inc., an Indiana-based company that designs, engineers, and manufactures fiberglass parts will be relocating in the Azalea City Business Park.

  • Georgia’s 2019 Small Business ROCK STARS Named

    March 19, 2019

    Governor Brian. P. Kemp joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Georgia Economic Developers Association to recognize Georgia’s 2019 “Small Business ROCK STARS” at an annual luncheon at the Georgia Aquarium today. Four Georgia-based companies were recognized for being outstanding, unique and impactful small businesses.

  • UGA SBDC at VSU Offers Workshop in Online Version of QuickBooks April 9th

    March 18, 2019

    The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center at Valdosta State University will present QuickBooks Online: Conquering Your Fears from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9th.

  • Why March Madness Costs Companies Billions Due to Employee Distraction and Poor Productivity

    March 18, 2019

    Recent statistics reveal that March Madness has become more popular than ever before, thanks in large part to the worldwide betting that takes place. Over 60 million people are expected to fill out brackets this year, with an estimated $10 million being put on the table. However, there is another cost which people may not expect: A downturn in employee productivity.

  • Steeplechase Continuing Georgia Tradition

    March 15, 2019

    Year two of the “Steeplechase Under New Ownership” era is coming up on April 6. Anthony-Scott and Phoebe Hobbs are the current owners of the Georgia Steeplechase, the spiritual successor to the famed Atlanta Steeplechase that ran for 52 years – same venue, same great racing… same great beverages if you’re into that kind of thing.

  • Dean Sam Pardue: Making Georgia and CAES No. 1 in Agriculture

    March 15, 2019

    As we celebrate National Agriculture Week 2019, many in the Southeast are still struggling to recover from hurricanes, tornadoes, whitefly outbreaks and record-breaking rainfall. Nature is both the nemesis and nurturer of agriculture - the ultimate “can’t live with it, can’t live without it” dilemma.

  • goBeyondProfit: Practical Tips for Starting Your Company's Community Outreach

    March 14, 2019

    Frequently, business leaders reach out to the goBeyondProfit team asking for practical advice about how to begin or get better at this giving back journey we are all attempting. Georgia business leaders understand that charitable outreach offers vital benefits to the community and their business, but what are the basics to getting it right?

  • Georgia Sets New Trade Record

    March 14, 2019

    Governor Brian P. Kemp is proud to announce that Georgia’s 2018 international trade numbers set a new record with exports surpassing $40.5 billion - a 9% increase over 2017. Total trade between Georgia and the world spanned 223 countries and territories, reaching a new high at $139.3 billion.

  • The Insider’s Take on Washington: Chamber, REALTORS, Home Builders & Rotary Host Saxby Chambliss

    March 12, 2019

    Known as the “level-headed” guy that does not get involved in personalities and partisan politics, former U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss will be the center of attention at the annual Legislative Lunch, co-hosted by the Valdosta Chamber, Valdosta Board of REALTORS, Home Builders Association of South Georgia and Valdosta Rotary Club on April 5th.

  • Chamber Workshop: Helping Businesses Understand How To Build an Actionable Sales Plan to Reach Revenue and Profitability Goals

    March 11, 2019

    The Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, SEEDS Business Resource Center, and the Valdosta HubSpot User Group will host a free workshop titled “How To Build an Actionable Sales Plan to Reach Revenue and Profitability Goals” on March 14th, at the South Georgia Regional Library.

  • 2019 Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber Annual Awards & Dinner Celebrate Community

    March 08, 2019

    The Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce hosted the 107th Annual Awards & Dinner sponsored by First Commerce Credit Union at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center on Feb. 28. Throughout the evening, the chamber doled out awards and recognized businesses and individuals in the community.

  • Georgia Senator David Perdue Tours Chaparral Boats Facility

    March 08, 2019

    Senator David Perdue (R-GA) recently toured the more than one million square foot Chaparral Boats Inc. manufacturing facility in an effort to learn more about the company and the recreational boat industry. Chaparral Boats employees 1,000 full-time employees in South Georgia and Senator Perdue was able to witness the manufacturing process first-hand.

  • Georgia Road Maps Designed though Vinson Institute Partnership with GDOT

    March 08, 2019

    Motorists exploring Georgia’s travel treasures can unfold a colorful copy of the Official Highway and Transportation Map to find the easiest way to reach their exciting destinations.

  • Economist Finds Property Values Rise In Georgia’s Historic Districts

    March 07, 2019

    Values for single-family residential properties in the National Register and local historic districts in Georgia rose 13-14 percent and 7 percent before they were designated historic properties, according to research by Georgia State University economist Carlianne Patrick.

  • Georgia Chamber Announces The New Georgia Economy Series

    March 07, 2019

    The Georgia Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the beginning of its 2019 New Georgia Economy Series. In partnership with local Chambers, the Georgia Chamber will offer half-day workshops to provide unique insights on the emerging business trends and risks, and the impact to small businesses, innovation and entrepreneurship that the state faces.

  • SGMC Seeks to Keep Nursing Talent in the South

    March 06, 2019

    South Georgia Medical Center took the opportunity to partner with neighboring colleges and universities last week in an effort to keep area nurses local.

  • Rep. Tanner Unveils 2019 House Transit Proposal

    March 06, 2019

    The 2019 House Transit plan released late last week is designed to “allow the state to remain economically competitive and prosperous for Georgians, regardless of where they live,” according to State Representative Kevin Tanner (R-Dawsonville).

  • AG Chris Carr Kicks Off the 8th Annual Legal Food Frenzy

    March 05, 2019

    Attorney General Chris Carr announced that registration is open for the 8th Annual Legal Food Frenzy, a statewide food and fundraising competition among Georgia’s lawyers to help end hunger across the state.