Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 7232 S G M A G A Z I N E | FA L L 2 0 1 6 B U S I N E S S + C U LT U R E 33 Valdosta-Lowndes County Creating a Viable Manufacturing Landscape Companies like Archer Daniels Midland, Hunt Industries, Saft America, South Georgia Pecan, and Steeda play an integral part of Valdosta- Lowndes County’s viable manufacturing landscape. The simple definition of manufacturing includes the act of converting raw materials into a finished product through a manual or mechanical process. This includes all foods, chemicals, textiles, machines, and equipment. “Our mission is to create new industry and promote the growth of existing industry which drives job creation and capital investments,” said Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority (VLCDA) Board Chairman Tom Call. “Valdosta-Lowndes County is very fortunate to have over 35 manufacturing facilities that have continued to help our community grow with jobs and capital investments throughout the years.” Recent growth in Lowndes County’s manufacturing and distribution industry has centered on significant expansion of existing companies and job growth, resulting in $28 million in combined capital investment and 159 direct new jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are currently 3,982 people working in manufacturing in The Saft plant has called Valdosta home for 41 years and has approximately 260 employees. The Valdosta facility serves the aeronautics, commuter rail, and telecommunications market. PHOTO: SAFT VALDOSTA 32 S G M A G A Z I N E | FA L L 2 0 1 6 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 3,982 PEOPLE WORKING IN MANUFACTURING IN LOWNDES COUNTY Lowndes County. The average salary per job is $56,162 annually. “What we have done well is help our existing businesses continue to grow,” said Andrea Schruijer, executive director of the VLCDA. “Because we have a diverse base of manufacturing and logistic distribution, we were fortunate through the recession that we didn’t see businesses close, and we don’t have a lot of empty buildings. Our businesses and industries continue to thrive and expand.” Helping existing Lowndes County industries grow is a community effort. Earlier this year, VLCDA formed the Business Retention Action Team (BRAT) to facilitate services, information, solutions, and contacts to help companies succeed and grow. The group also promotes partnerships within local schools through career education and job placement for high school and college graduates. BRAT is comprised of members representing the VLCDA, Georgia Department of Economic Development (including Georgia Centers of Innovation and Georgia Quick Start), Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Department of Labor, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute, University of Georgia Small Business Development Center, and Georgia Power. “BRAT is an important component of our existing industries. The main purpose of the team is partnership,” said Stan Crance, existing industry coordinator of the VLCDA. “By working together, we provide our local industries the service and information needed to ensure growth and success in Valdosta-Lowndes County. We want to make sure they are successful, because when they succeed, they strengthen the community.” $56,162 IS THE AVERAGE SALARY PER JOB ANNUALLY Schruijer agrees that support from the community is a big part of Valdosta-Lowndes County’s success in recruiting and retaining top businesses and industries. An example of growth and longevity is the Saft plant, which has called Valdosta home for 41 years. With approximately 260 employees, the Saft Valdosta facility serves the aeronautics, commuter rail, and telecommunications markets. Saft has experienced extensive growth in the past four decades and credits much of its success to excellent cooperation from the VLCDA, Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, and various state and local agencies. “We’ve had an excellent cooperative relationship over the years,” said Jody Beasley, Saft general manager. “Those partnerships have helped us meet our objectives of doing business