Greater Lowndes County Common Community Vision 2015 Report of Accomplishments

Staff Report From Valdosta CEO

Tuesday, January 5th, 2016

In January 2014, the Valdosta-Lowndes Metropolitan Planning Organization, the federally-designated regional transportation planning agency, adopted the Common Community Vision for Greater Lowndes County. For the second year the VLMPO has produced a Report of Accomplishments to highlight how local organizations are working towards a better community.

The Common Community Vision document outlines 18 aspirational goals for the community to achieve in 10 theme areas, including education, transportation, housing, healthcare and public safety. In cooperation with other planning efforts by other local jurisdictions and agencies, the community can work together to achieve a Common Community Vision that helps us succeed in economic development and provide a high quality of life for our residents.

The Valdosta and Lowndes County region observed ample success and movement towards its vision and goals in 2015. The annual Report of Accomplishments highlights a few of these successes and ways that the community is working together to promote economic development and a high quality of life. Some of the highlights from this Report of Accomplishments include: Moody Transition Employer Workshops, Government Contractor Workshops, more than $27 million in private economic development investment, a new Urgent Care Center, VPD and Lake Park body camera upgrades, deliberation of zoning near Moody AFB, the new Valdosta Youth Council, VCS purchase of propane-powered school buses, Grassy Pond Recreation Area opening to the public, Georgia Grown Products and Agri-toursim Events highlighting the agricultural roots of the region, VLMPO adoption of the $1 billion 2040 Transportation Vision Plan, and many other accomplishments.