It was an unusual year in many ways in the community as joblessness, economic woes, and acts of violence were unfortunately the headline grabbers for the year.
There were, however, a number of bright spots on the economic landscape in the business sector that we should remember.
The spirit of entrepreneurship.Across South Georgia, in every hamlet, town, and city, there is an incredible spirit of entrepreneurship that has kept the region growing. The many businesses, retail stores, and restaurants that have opened in the last year is incredible, given the economy, and most, if not all, are thriving.
The growth of VSU, Val Tech and GMC. Not only is Valdosta State University growing in student population, it’s growing in size as dorms, the new student center, and more open to cater to the students’ needs. Val Tech’s merger and upcoming name change to Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is an exciting time for the school as they too face record enrollments. And despite moving just a few short years ago in order to expand, Georgia Military College is expanding once again in order to accommodate student needs. Higher education is thriving despite the state budget cuts in our region.
Home Depot distribution center. Lowndes County did a tremendous job of recruiting the Home Depot D.C. to Lake Park this year. The center should have about 200 employed by now, which makes it one of our essential employers. The company has been a good community partner and we are thankful they are here.
Layoffs and furloughs. Unfortunately, unemployment or near-unemployment has been the norm throughout 2009 as companies and government agencies turn to personnel to make cuts after cutting as much as they could in other areas. Let’s hope that this is a trend that is coming to an end.
The floods. The incredible rising waters that overtook homes and businesses in the spring have a devastating economic impact on many, but on the bright side, allowed for growth as well. Businesses hardest hit were by the homes that were the hardest hit off Gornto Road. The YMCA took the devastation as an opportunity to improve, revamp and grow. Only Options came back stronger than ever, Ole Timers bar bounced back fairly quickly, and the Cinderella story is the former Mulldoons that was empty for several years before the floods further devastated it, followed by the new Creekside Tavern, which has completely rejuvenated that whole area.
2009 was a restless year, a year of misfortune for many, and yet a year that saw the spirit of the community come alive with neighbor helping neighbor. Not a bad legacy for a year after all.
Business Roundup
A new barbershop just opened in the mall in recent weeks. It’s an old fashioned barber shop with the barber poles, etc. It’s in the hallway towards JC Penney, I believe in the area why Envy was before they moved to where Glamour Shots used to be before they moved outside the mall on Gornto Road.
The newly named Clarion on Hwy. 84 used to be a Quality Inn, but has been rebranded and the owners have made a number of improvements.
The Chick-Fil-A on Inner Perimeter is nearly finished with an early January opening planned.
There’s not a lot of construction going on to report on, but hopefully that will change in the new year.
Speaking of the New Year, I wish for you and yours to have a wonderful 2010.
And for the city of Valdosta, Lowndes County, and our neighboring counties, I remain hopeful for the creation of jobs, continued growth and hopefully prosperity that will benefit all.
Business
Business This Week: Looking back at 2009
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Gayla’s Grits: A Taste of the South
What started as a unique Christmas gift for family and friends has turned into the go-to business for the best grits in town and, possibly, the world.
Gayla’s Grits, owned by husband-and-wife duo Kevin and Gayla Shaw, began in 1997 while grinding naturally grown white corn for personal consumption. -
Graduates heading into the real world
Over the last week or so, thousands of high school students in our area have graduated and are preparing for their next step in life. Some are going straight to college, others are seeking military careers, some are going straight to work, and there are most likely quite a few who have no real plans or idea what to do next.
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Have A Happy Free Birthday!
The only thing better than a birthday is a free birthday. I would know, because my birthday was on Friday and, yes, I am absolutely using the newspaper as a platform for a free birthday ad because Facebook just doesn’t do it for me anymore.
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Valdosta Shared Office Space
VALDOSTA — Though Valdosta Shared Office Space is not new to Valdosta, it is newly green. The first and only shared office space in Valdosta owned by Gino Fina, just became the first Downtown Valdosta business to work with the Georgia Cities Foundation’s Green Communities Fund to implement environmentally friendly, energy-efficient improvements, reducing energy consumption upwards of 50 percent. -
Downtown businesses to be mobbed this week
A few years ago, when everyone started talking through social media, flash mobs became the new in thing to do. Primarily in the big cities, although VSU did their own a year or two ago, a designated place and time would be set and masses of people would descend on these sites, sometimes dancing, sometimes singing, sometimes acting obnoxiously.
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Keep tails wagging when your budget is lagging
I have a problem. Though I am a tight-wad when it comes to spending my money, I cannot resist the calling to buy adorable toys, collars and, yes, even clothes for my three cuter than all get out fur babies.
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The Valdosta Mall: Revamped and Ready for Business!
VALDOSTA — The Valdosta Mall has made tremendous strides since its rebranding away from Colonial Mall in 2007 and it’s refocus in 2008 when it made a move from serving the community to being a part of the community.
“We had taken for granted our place in the community for a long time,” said Jerry Weller, general manager of the Valdosta Mall. “We don’t do that anymore.” -
Keep your clothes looking fab to avoid looking drab
As I get older, I’m beginning to learn that there are more important things than clothes. Ugh! It pains me to even form that sentence; however, it’s true.
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Business This Week: Happy Mother’s Day!
Today is the one day a year dedicated to celebrating mothers, although we all use their guidance and wisdom every day. But for this one day, their sacrifices, kindness, love, and advice are recognized, hopefully, by the children they raised or helped to raise. It might not even be those born to them, as most mothers don’t limit their love and it flows over onto their children’s friends, family members, and the children they influence in the classroom, in Sunday school and in volunteer activities.
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Downtown will have a new beat this week
The Brown Bag Concert Series produced by Valdosta Main Street will begin again on Monday and last all week.
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