A Common Community Vision

Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce

December 2013

Lowndes County in 2040

149,288

Lowndes County in 2040

76,082

Lowndes County in 2040

171,829

Lowndes County in 2040

32,44464,311

Valdosta in 2040

68.7%

Existing Plans

Existing Plans

• Transportation• Economic Development• Water• Revitalization• Comprehensive Land

Use• Hazard Mitigation

• Solid Waste• Airports• Bicycle and Pedestrian• Natural Resources• Education• Business • Tourism

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Common Community Vision

Pride in Our Community

• Retail is Robust• New Schools (K-12)• Police and Fire (response

times)• Keep Lowndes/Valdosta

Beautiful (KLVB) is a great program.

• There is good collaboration and communication between MAFB and the local communities.

• Good support of MAFB through land use policies

• The Alapaha River is a Grade A river

• Good road system• The local universities are

a great source of knowledge, and provide excellent partnership opportunities.

Input – Partnerships & CollaborationEncourage and coordinate

public/private partnerships between workforce training agencies, counties, cities, local businesses and schools (K-12 and Technical) for the development of improving work skill programs and career education programs such as career academy for young adults.

Great Promise Partnership

Good K-12 partnerships with universities (VSU, WGTC)

Lowndes County has a strong partnership with HealthSouth.

Establish public-private partnerships to fund improvements to park and

recreation facilities and programs in the Designated Revitalization Area,

and near Public Housing.

The local universities are a great source of knowledge, and provide

excellent partnership opportunities.

Partnerships between schools and business to focus on essential career

skills

Through the SBDC, in partnership with governments and non-profits, provide business development services (such

as: training, private consultations, mentoring, etc.) for low and moderate income persons, entrepreneurs, and

small business incubators.

To identify, preserve, protect, promote, provide access, and manage

the broad range of cultural and historic resources in the Southern Georgia Region, engaging public-

private partnerships when appropriate.

Coordinate public-private partnerships (façade program, demolish

vacant/hazardous buildings, etc.) to improve lots and structures in

designated revitalization areas to make the areas more attractive to

reinvestment and victors

Need more public/private partnerships for transportation

Need partnerships with private sector (losing funds so need more private

participation)Establish partnerships of local

governments and service providers that leverage and supplement

requested state and federal funding

There is a need for more partnerships in education, particularly between the

schools and parents, as well as between the schools and private

industry.

School and Business Partnerships

More public and private partnerships

Need better collaboration between

government and businesses

Input – Leadership

Better leadership nowLeadership for small business development

Access to elected officials

Is improving between city and county

It is only in the last year that we have seen any cooperation between the Valdosta City and Lowndes County Governments. That cooperation needs to extend to all the cities and be a long term thing, not based upon the personalities of those elected in any given election cycle. I would like to see less division

between the City and County government.

Valdosta and Lowndes need to

take regional leadership role…

Input – Marketing and AwarenessIncrease marketing about small business development resources

Marketing of quality of life

Agri-Tourism is good, but needs more promotion and marketing

Education and Awareness re: local transportation priorities (perception of importance)

There needs to be more awareness and education about the many programs, activities and events that are available locally.

Build community awareness of current cultural, recreational and natural resources, and develop a web-based data management system to provide informational resources to local officials and the public.

Awareness of recreation and park opportunities

Lack of awareness of local housing resources (education)

Education and awareness of local regulations

Small businesses do not know who to talk to - startups

Develop a region-wide, public/private, funded business plan geared towards marketing the community to regional, national, and global high-wage employers.

SGRJDA – Marketing effort kicked off in 2013 to promote our region to consultants and prospects via the South Georgia Classic to enhance economic development in our region.

Awareness of education resources and facilities

Education and awareness of historical resources

There is an opportunity to make more of the public aware of the public transit services that are available now.

Education and awareness of boat landing locations

Conservation awareness is an area that can be better communicated to the local residents.

Through a statewide coordinated effort, the region shall be marketed as a viable location for Active Adult, Amenity Seeking Retirees due to its prime location, community resources (healthcare, transportation, amenities), and climate.

Encourage awareness through various forms (maps, brochures, etc.) about cycling, walking, sharing the road, and public health and planned transit services, especially to local schools and universities.

We need more education/awareness of what is or isn't being done in our community to improve health education.

There needs to be more education and awareness of local fuel and energy alternatives.

Better awareness of life skills and opportunities for old age learners

Marketing trips to increase our visibility in front of site selectors by using regional partners.

Education and awareness of regional stormwater efforts

Need more local natural and cultural resource promotion and marketing

Marketing area needs

improvement

Input – Capital Improvements

Bidgee

Aspirational Goals

Common Community Vision

A resilient community where partnerships and coordination

promote regional success in economic development,

education, infrastructure, and a high quality of life.

Implementation

Next Steps

• Common Community Vision• 2040 Transportation Plan– Goals and Performance Measures– Financial Plan– Project Ideas

Valdosta-LowndesMetropolitan Planning Organization

www.bit.ly/LowndesCCV