August 2023 Features

• Most Recent Lowndes County Emergency Release: Safety, Power, Debris Removal, Repairs, Travel Advisory

  August 31, 2023

  Citizens should only call 911 in the event of an emergency. Do not call 911 for weather updates, debris removal or other services/questions that are not an emergency.

• New Coalition Takes Aim at Tort Reform in Georgia

  August 31, 2023

  A new nonprofit founded by three high-power lobbying firms is setting its sites on tort reform in Georgia. Competitive Georgia announced its formation Tuesday, the latest sign that business leaders are preparing a major push for the General Assembly to curb what they see as frivolous lawsuits that drive up the cost of doing business.

• Total Force Development Team Enacts Change at Moody AFB

  August 29, 2023

  With its unique culture of innovation, Moody continues to accelerate change through the Total Force Development Team to create opportunities for base agencies and private organizations.

• Georgia DOT Celebrates Connected Vehicle Technology Integration

  August 29, 2023

  Georgia Department of Transportation recently held a ribbon cutting to celebrate Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything waivers granted by the Federal Communications Commission allowing Georgia DOT to integrate C-V2X technology across the state.

• SGMC & City of Valdosta Agree on Acquisition for Mathis City Auditorium

  August 28, 2023

  In a joint announcement, the City of Valdosta and the Board of Trustees of the Hospital Authority of Valdosta and Lowndes County, Georgia announce the completion of an agreement for the Hospital Authority to acquire Mathis City Auditorium.

• Charlie Harper: Preparing For The Last Season Of College Football As We Know it

  August 28, 2023

  The weather says summer, but the calendar says fall. We know this because the University of Georgia Bulldogs are ready to suit up between the hedges in Athens to defend their National Championship. Or better said, Championships. Plural.

• Azalea City Civic Club Showcases Georgia Agriculture with 8th Annual Taste of Georgia Event

  August 25, 2023

  To recognize Georgia’s agriculture as the number one industry in the state, the Azalea City Civic Club presents the 8th Annual Taste of Georgia event, which showcases locally grown, raised and produced agricultural products, as well as the people who make it possible.

• VSU’s Impact on Area Economy Increases - Total Economic Impact Surpasses $409M

  August 24, 2023

  How much does Lowndes County and the surrounding areas benefit economically from hosting Valdosta State University?

• Georgia Named the Best State for Business Growth, According to New Research

  August 23, 2023

  New research has revealed the best states for business growth, with Georgia taking the top spot. Business consulting firm Venture Smarter analyzed data from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics to discover the business growth rate in each state based on the number of establishments in December 2021 compared to December 2022.

• Leadership Lowndes Partners with Moody

  August 21, 2023

  Community leaders from across Lowndes County joined Airmen for Defense Day at Moody Air Force Base, August 17th, to gain deeper insight into the mission and military life.

• Georgia Ranks Sixth for States that Dine Out the Most, with Chick-Fil-A Their Favorite Restaurant

  August 21, 2023

  Dining out is often seen as something to do when celebrating an event or seeking a fast meal after a long day, that’s why a new study has investigated which states enjoy dining out the most.

• Georgia Chamber CEO Chris Clark -The Coming Crisis in Healthcare: Workforce

  August 18, 2023

  Across Georgia and the country, we are experiencing a serious need for healthcare staff. Hospitals, senior care facilities, urgent care centers, local health clinics, and even imaging centers are facing long-term problems providing access to care for our citizens.

• Georgia’s Unemployment Rate Holds Firm, Remains Below National Average

  August 17, 2023

  Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson announced today that Georgia's July unemployment rate remained steady at 3.2 percent, unchanged from a revised 3.2 percent in June. The unemployment rate is also three-tenths lower than the national average.

• Moody Airmen Drive Innovation

  August 16, 2023

  With the Air Force focusing on innovation and future forward ideas, Airmen at Moody Air Force Base continuously lead the way. From A-Staff and Lead Wing concepts to Airmen creating concepts at an individual level, Moody is an installation brimming with diverse ideas and teaming with sparks of innovation.

• Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson Returns Millions in Unremitted Funds to the Georgia State Treasury

  August 16, 2023

  Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson hosted a press conference yesterday to reveal the findings of a comprehensive internal audit, which uncovered $105,170,178.20 in unremitted funds that began accumulating in fiscal year 2014.

• The Average Georgia Credit Score Increased 12 Points During COVID

  August 15, 2023

  When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in the United States at the beginning of 2020, quarantine and social distancing regulations caused consumer behaviors to change dramatically. As a result, many Americans were able to save money during the pandemic and able to improve their financial situations by increasing savings and paying down debt.

• Georgia Voted #12 Best State for Franchising; What Does This Mean for Small Business Throughout State?

  August 14, 2023

  This month, we are taking at the “Rich States, Poor States” Economic Competitiveness Index and how it can be useful to franchisors as they expand their footprints. For the state of Georgia, these rankings reveal a lot about where the state economy is going and where there is opportunity for their economy to grow.

• City of Valdosta Receives APWA Project of the Year Award

  August 11, 2023

  The City of Valdosta has fully embraced technology, innovation and uses the South Georgia sun to make smart energy decisions. At the August 9th, Georgia Chapter American Public Works Association Awards Ceremony, Valdosta received the Public Works Project of the Year award for the Unity Park Amphitheater.

• Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Georgia Serves Grants $6.6M in AmeriCorps Funding for Georgia

  August 11, 2023

  Georgia Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Christopher Nunn announced that Georgia Serves is granting $6,600,668 in federal AmeriCorps funding to 20 organizations across the state.

• Jekyll Island, Helen & Dahlonega Voted Among the Top Budget-Friendly Honeymoon Destinations in America

  August 11, 2023

  As the wedding bells start ringing across the country, the euphoria of newlywed bliss is closely shadowed by the daunting expenses that weddings and honeymoons entail. Living the high life in 2023 isn't exactly a cakewalk, with that pesky thing we call inflation still sticking around and most couples starting their wedded adventure with a 'something borrowed' bank balance.

• USG’s Economic Impact Grows to $20.1B as Graduates Earn $1+ Million More with Their College Degrees

  August 10, 2023

  The University System of Georgia contributed a total of $20.1 billion to Georgia’s economy between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, a $800 million or 4.14% increase over the previous year, a new study shows.

• The City of Valdosta Recognizes Volunteer Group for City Renewal Project

  August 09, 2023

  The City Renewal Project, inspired by the Southern Hospitality Work Camps of 2005-2017, is improving the community's living conditions by providing minor home repair projects.

• Georgia Breaks Economic Development Records for Third Year in a Row

  August 09, 2023

  Governor Brian Kemp, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, yesterday announced that for the third year in a row the state broke records for economic development during Fiscal Year 2023.

• New Survey Finds Employees Ask for Community Outreach Reboot

  August 08, 2023

  In the 2023 Business Generosity Report by goBeyondProfit and Georgia CEO, Georgia employees clearly indicated their shifting priorities regarding the most important demonstrations of generosity to the community.

• Georgia Center of Innovation Hosts Successful 2023 Georgia AgTech Summit

  August 07, 2023

  On June 7th, the Georgia Center of Innovation hosted the second annual Georgia AgTech Summit at the Robert F. Hatcher Sr. Conference Center on the campus of Middle Georgia State University. Similar to the first Georgia AgTech Summit held in 2022, this goal of this year’s Summit’s was to bring together industry, academia, and government partners who are players in the Georgia AgTech ecosystem to collaborate and share ideas.