![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sgamag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Sparks_Expansion.jpg?resize=692%2C487&ssl=1\")
BASF expands its facility in Cook County<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n BASF recently announced the expansion of its Sparks, Cook County facility. The company is investing approximately $70 million in capital improvements to produce seed treatment formulations that will lead to 30 new full-time jobs.<\/p>\n According to BASF, the production investment will provide solutions for farmers while contributing to the economic development of the communities it serves.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will continue to help farmers and our seed company and channel partners succeed in the operations, which includes the development of our see treatment portfolio,\u201d says Martin Horrocks, director, Seed Treatment, BASF Agricultural Solutions North America. \u201cBASF has responded to their needs by making significant investments in production to deliver effective solutions to help farmers manage pests, disease, and produce higher yields. These investments highlight our commitment to efficiently bring seed treatment innovations to farmers to help protect their crops during the times they need it most.\u201d<\/p>\n The site expansion includes a new formulation unit, lab expansion, and climate-controlled warehouse, bringing the total site assets to $200 million. READ MORE<\/a><\/p>\n Renewable Biomass Group recently announced the construction of a $95 million wood pellet facility in Adel, Cook County. The Houston-based company is expected to create 60 new jobs when the plant opens in\u00a02022. Initial production estimates include developing and exporting\u00a0450,000 metric tons of industrial wood pellets per year. The pellets will be exported from the Port of Savannah to Europe and Asia.<\/p>\n According to a recent industry report, the global wood pellets market is expected to reach $18.22 billion by 2027. Wood pellets are used as an alternative fuel source and are considered more eco-friendly, sustainable, and carbon-neutral in nature.\u00a0The wood pellet increase is attributed to a heightened demand by large-scale manufacturing facilities in Europe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bainbridge, Decatur County will be home for A-1 Roof Trusses new 150,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. A leading manufacturer of pre-engineered wood trusses, the company plans to invest $17 million and create 130 jobs. The Bainbridge facility is the company\u2019s first facility outside its headquarters in Fort Pierce, Florida.<\/p>\n \u201cBainbridge and Decatur County are thrilled to welcome A-1 Roof Trusses to our community,\u201d says Keith Lyle, chairman of the Development Authority of Bainbridge and Decatur County. \u201cTheir decision to locate and invest in Bainbridge and Decatur County is further proof that our community remains an attractive location within to do business.\u201d\u00a0 READ MORE\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Paerosol Global Partners (PGP) recently announced plans to invest $17 million in a new facility in Bainbridge, Decatur County. A manufacturer of disinfectant solutions and spraying instruments, PGP is projected to create 140 new jobs.<\/p>\n Based in Florida, PGP manufactures and assembles solutions that effectively eliminate air- and surface-borne pathogens such as mold, bacteria, and viruses.<\/p>\n \u201cPGP is committed to making a difference in the quality of people\u2019s lives. We are looking forward to building our new facility in Bainbridge, Georgia. The community has welcomed us with open arms, making our decision to choose Georgia over any other part of the nation a seamless process for us,\u201d says David Pobiak, PGP\u2019s senior vice president of Strategic Alliances and Sales. \u201cThe professionalism, infrastructure, and cooperation we have experienced provides us the ability to create a thriving business and, in turn, contribute to this burgeoning community by way of job production and access to our technology in local schools, hospitals, and all places of gathering to help ensure safety against existing and emerging pathogens.\u201d<\/p>\n The expansion will bring a variety of job options to the area, including careers in management, accounting, logistics, and production.<\/p>\n \u201cBainbridge and Decatur County are thrilled to welcome PGP our community. Their decision to locate and invest in Bainbridge and Decatur County affirm that our community is a premier location within which to do business,\u201d says Keith Lyle, chairman of the Development Authority of Bainbridge and Decatur County. \u201cOur world-class workforce coupled with the unwavering support of our state and local leadership make us unbeatable at attracting new business and investment.\u201d\u00a0 READ MORE\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Windstream<\/a> and Colquitt EMC<\/a> recently announced they will share responsibility for expanding the Kinetic fiber-optic broadband network to some of Georgia\u2019s most rural areas over the next several years. The network expansion will give Colquitt EMC members access to Windstream\u2019s premium Kinetic broadband service with internet speeds up to 1Gig.<\/p>\n \u201cThere have been a lot of discussions and expectations around the role of EMC\u2019s in broadband. I am proud that the first partnership between an EMC and Windstream is right here in my home county of Colquitt,\u201d says State Rep. Sam Watson of Moultrie. \u201cPairing the resources of these two organizations will provide first-rate broadband services to our county when they need them most.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a great day for Windstream, Colquitt EMC and Colquitt\u2019s members,\u201d says J Berkshire, president of Windstream Operations in Georgia. \u201cBy combining resources, our two organizations will accelerate Kinetic broadband deployment to customers in many locations in Colquitt\u2019s service territory.\u201d<\/p>\n Berkshire, says, the partnership represents an important step in Windstream\u2019s continuing effort to expand broadband access in some of the most hard-to-reach areas of Georgia \u201cWe look forward to a long and productive relationship with the great folks at Colquitt EMC that will benefit all of our shared communities.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOnce state law allowed EMC\u2019s to engage in the broadband effort, Colquitt EMC recognized that a partnership is the best strategy,\u201d says Danny Nicholls, general manager of Colquitt EMC. \u201cWe have enjoyed a positive working relationship with Windstream. Through our discussions, we have found a common goal, and we look forward to impacting our members and Windstream customers.\u201d <\/p>\n Bates Precast Concrete, Inc. announced it will expand its footprint in Lowndes County with a capital investment of $5 million and the creation of new jobs. The company will increase its storage area to support production capacity and new product lines located in the Lake Park Industrial Park.<\/p>\n \u201cI am very excited to announce this expansion of one of our great local industries. For over 34 years, Bates Precast Concrete, Inc. has continued to see growth in Valdosta-Lowndes County,\u201d says Terri Lupo, chairman of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority Board of Directors. \u201cNot only are they investing more capital into our community, they will grow jobs here for our residents.<\/p>\n Sharie Bates Elliott, CEO of Bates Precast Concrete, says, \u201cThis expansion will make it possible for Bates Precast Concrete to provide more jobs and better benefits for existing employees, as well as continuing to provide quality products for the airports, roads, schools, and backyards.\u201d<\/p>\n Construction on the expansion is scheduled to begin before the end of 2020. Newly created jobs will consist of an engineer, estimator, draftsperson, sales, and production specialists. READ MORE<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe are thrilled Orion Boatworks has selected Valdosta-Lowndes County as a location for their manufacturing facility,\u201d says Terri Lupo, chairwoman of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority. \u201cTheir investment in our community is a testament to our pro-business environment, our strategic location, and our well-trained, diverse workforce. We are thankful for the teamwork and partnerships fostered to make this announcement possible.\u201d<\/p>\n The Orion Boatworks team\u00a0began constructing luxury yachts 17 years ago, and today, their boat collection includes coastal runabouts, custom picnic yachts, sport fishing vessels, and center consoles.<\/p>\n In a statement, a representative of Orion Boatworks says, \u201cValdosta-Lowndes County was attractive because they had an existing building which fit our business model and experienced workforce in the region made it the perfect choice. \u201cWe appreciate the support of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority and look forward to continuing a successful partnership over the coming years.\u201d <\/p>\n South Georgia Medical Center<\/a> (SGMC) and Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM) have formed a partnership to bring internal medicine and emergency medicine residency programs to Valdosta.<\/p>\n Upon approval by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the residency programs will begin in 2022.<\/p>\n \u201cThis partnership leverages the strengths of both organizations in developing a high-quality graduate medical education option for physicians seeking residency training in South Georgia,\u201d says Ronald E. Dean, SGMC President and CEO. \u201cAs a teaching hospital, SGMC will couple academics with some of the best-trained medical staff, nurses and healthcare professionals within our highly capable health delivery system to advance our ability to better serve the healthcare needs of Valdosta, Lowndes County and South Georgia.\u201d<\/p>\n Research shows that medical residents tend to stay close to their training site to work after they graduate. The new programs are intended to enhance recruitment and retention efforts at SGMC.<\/p>\n \u201cThe mission of the Mercer University School of Medicine is to educate physicians and health professionals to meet the primary care and health care needs of rural and medically underserved areas of Georgia,\u201d says Dr. Jean Sumner, Dean of MUSM. \u201cWe are proud to partner with SGMC.\u201d<\/p>\n Internal medicine and emergency residency programs last three to four years under the guidance of senior physician educators. Residents are students who have graduated from medical school and are completing additional training in their medical specialty.\u00a0 READ MORE<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\nBASF Site Expansion in Cook County
\n$70 Million, 39 Jobs<\/h3>\nAdel Home to New Biomass Facility
\n$95 Million, 60 Jobs<\/h3>\nBainbridge-Decatur County<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n
A-1 Roof Trusses
\n$17 Million Investment, 130 Jobs<\/h3>\nPaerosol Global Partners
\n$17 Million Investment, 140 Jobs<\/h3>\n<\/h2>\n
Moultrie-Colquitt County<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sgamag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Broadband-pexels-brett-sayles-2881229-1.jpg?resize=508%2C327&ssl=1\")
Bridging the Broadband Gap<\/h3>\n
\nREAD MORE\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\nValdosta-Lowndes County<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sgamag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/VLCDA-High-Res-Logo.jpg?resize=412%2C143&ssl=1\"){kind=logo}
Bates Precast Concrete
\n$5 Million Investment<\/h3>\nOrion Boatworks
\n$3.5 Million Investment, 120 Jobs<\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sgamag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Orion-Boatworks.png?resize=445%2C200&ssl=1\")
Orion Boatworks has selected Valdosta, Lowndes County, for its new facility. The boat manufacturer will occupy the former Regal Marine facility, located in the Azalea City Industrial Park, and will invest approximately $3.5 million and create 120 jobs.<\/p>\n
\nREAD MORE\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sgamag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/SGMC-Master-Logo-TBoyd-300x300-copy-2.png?resize=313%2C306&ssl=1\"){kind=logo}
SGMC Partners with Mercer University to Offer Residency Programs<\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sgamag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Valdosta-City-project.jpg?resize=479%2C345&ssl=1\")
Valdosta Receives Georgia Smart Communities Challenge Grant<\/h3>\n