VALDOSTA —
While Gov. Nathan Deal’s proposal to cut $185 million from Georgia’s economic development budget would seem to spell disaster for industrial growth initiatives across the southern part of the state, the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority expects no to little impact to the effectiveness of their operations.
“It’s concerning,” said Executive Director Andrea Schruijer. “We don’t want to see (the budget cuts), but we know that Gov. Deal is extremely pro-business and pro-economic development. If he’s doing it, they’ve got some serious issues and a tough road ahead of them to get a balanced budget.”
The budget cuts represent an almost 75 percent reduction in spending to draw business to Georgia, but the Authority relies on county millage rates to fund its operating costs, Schruijer said.
However, should the Authority identify a project that needs discretionary funds, the organization will approach the state “to see if there’s anything they can do to help fund us,” Schruijer said.
The Authority identifies projects and the hurdles preventing their completion—such as infrastructure, land needs, water, sewer, and power services—and determines the funding needed to fill that gap, according to Schruijer.
Once that monetary need is identified, the Authority approaches the state.
“It has to be tied to a tangible item, a capital investment,” Schruijer said. “It can’t be operating costs.”
That said, Schruijer does not believe budget cuts will slow the Authority’s progress, but she admits it is still too soon to tell.
If the cuts do limit the Authority’s development budget, the organization will “still keep plugging along, and talking to prospects,” Schruijer said.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Gov. Nathan Deal testifies before the House Appropriations Committee about his budget plan Jan. 22 in Atlanta. Deal has proposed cutting $185 million from Georgia’s economic development budget. The Associated Press
Discussion
Governor proposes 75 percent biz development cuts
Industrial Authority: Move won’t impact Valdosta
- Local News
-
-
Easter Seals benefit Thursday
Easter Seals Southern Georgia will be hosting “Sweet Charity: Desserts for a Cause” Thursday at Mathis Auditorium. The event will be from 7 to 9 p.m. and will include several local restaurants serving dessert as well as a silent auction.
-
Dollar General robbed at gunpoint
A customer and two employees were unharmed during a Sunday evening robbery as two masked men demanded cash from registers and the business’ safe as the Dollar General on Bemiss Road prepared to close at around 11:30 p.m., according to reports from the Valdosta Police Department.
-
Overpass work causes detours
All vehicles which are not making a delivery in the immediate vicinity of the new overpass will have to find alternate routes immediately.
-
Crossing guard keeping kids safe
Meet Merita Williams, crossing guard.
-
Juneteenth’s coming
Held in just as high a regard as the celebration of our country’s independence to many, the county’s annual Juneteenth dinner returns this Tuesday at 7 p.m. for its 21st year and will offer citizens of all races with a central point to celebrate human rights.
-
A soldier called preacher
In Vietnam, Wesley Harrell spread the Lord’s word among his fellow soldiers. He spoke of God often though few seemed to listen until they encountered war’s sudden death.
-
History on the move
In the right hands, a divided house can again mount a sound foundation and settle into a new era, as proved on Saturday when the 100 Black Men of Valdosta unveiled a transplanted house that’ll likely serve as their headquarters at its Martin Luther King Jr. Drive location.
-
Beach Safety: Keeping safe with fun in the sun
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second story in a weekly series on summer safety.
-
Ribbon cutting held for Joan Bailey Center
The Community Depot has opened the doors of its newest non-profit retail center, which was dedicated Friday to and named in honor of former Valdosta State University First Lady Joan Bailey.
-
Kendrick Johnson’s body exhumed
The family of a deceased Lowndes High School student had his body exhumed Friday morning from Sunset Hills Cemetery as relatives continue the process of acquiring a second autopsy.
- More Local News Headlines
-
