The Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority reviewed and discussed many items on the agenda during the meeting, Tuesday evening.

Allan Ricketts, project manager, presented the board members with an update on the food processing feasibility study, which was received by the University of Georgia (UGA).

The recommendation for the proposal is to conduct technology, market, financial, management and economic analyses. The cost of the study ranges between $15,000 to $25,000 and would cover the cost of scanning data. The projected time frame to complete the study is within 90 days.

The VLCIA is trying to locate partners in Lowndes County and the South Georgia region to assist with funding the food processing feasibility study, according to Ricketts.

Potential participants are local growers, money from the state and federal levels, UGA center of agribusiness and economic development, Lowndes County extension office and frozen vegetable suppliers sourcing produce in Lowndes County and the South Georgia region.

While the study is a gradual process, “I think in time it would add so much money to the economy in this area,” Gary Minchew, chairman, said.

The VLCIA also received updates on expansion projects, which are steadily progressing toward completion. Some of the projects included are Project Slipper, Sunset Farms, PCA, Gray Flex/Snap Rite, Alpha Pro Tech and Southeastern Freight Lines. Upon expansion, many projects will provide more local job opportunities.

Here are some of the projects that the Industrial Authority is currently working on, varying in stages of completion.

PROJECT EARTH

The project is to construct a 700,000-square-foot vehicle manufacturing facility to build hybrid vehicles, which would create about 450 to 600 new jobs. A site/facility conceptual plan was given to the site prospect’s vice president of operations/supply chain management and to a regional construction services company.

The VLCIA will meet with the vice president of the regional construction services company today to determine where the manufacturing/assembly plant should be located in the Southeast region of the United States.

“We have a specific project we want to present,” Brad Lofton, executive director, said. “(Hopefully) we’ll be in a better position to win that project after we meet him.”

PROJECT SHARPEYE

A business based out of California is seeking a U.S. Department of Defense request for proposal to create miniature radar to help locate hidden improvised explosive devices (IEDs). They would be lower in cost and building them could create 125-150 new jobs during the first two to three years.

Senator Saxby Chambliss has requested federal funding of $6 million on behalf of the VLCIA.

“(We’re taking a) baby step progress until we get some funding,” Lofton said.

WIREGRASS POWER, LLC

The project should be approved and issued an air quality operating permit in the next 14 days, according to Lofton. A power purchase agreement should also be complete by June 1, 2010. The VLCIA granted an eight month extension for the project to begin construction.

PROJECT PHOENIX

A team has identified a site and the company wants to start the expansion during the next 60 to 90 days. The project could create $5 million to $8 million in capital investment and create about 20 to 35 new jobs during the first six to nine months.

Currently, the VLCIA is waiting for the owner to submit a second cost estimate and long term lease proposal.

PROJECT EXCEL

A final draft of the economic development agreement is currently being worked on and will be presented to the VLCIA board at a later date.