The Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority discussed a campaign that may help garner nationwide media coverage and increase marketing effectiveness during its regular meeting Tuesday evening.

The campaign includes a six- to eight-minute broadcast that focuses on economic development in Valdosta and Lowndes County, Industrial Authority Assistant Director Vicki Hughes and Authority Vice Chairman Mary Gooding explained during the meeting. The broadcast would appear on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and be hosted by Hugh Downs.

The campaign also includes 85 30-second ads that would air in the Authority’s cities of choice on CNBC, Fox News and MSNBC.

If approved, the campaign will cost the Industrial Authority $23,400 for the base recording and $3,500 for an extra day of recording.

Authority members Roy Copeland and Norman Bennett questioned whether the broadcast and ads would actually reach the Authority’s targeted audiences, as well as if there was a way to measure feedback others have gotten from the campaign. Authority Chairman Gary Minchew added that he would “like a little more assurance” before the campaign is considered for approval.

Gooding and Hughes agreed to do more due diligence on the campaign, but reminded the Authority that the campaign is a “great deal” considering all that is included in the package and production costs. They added that the recordings could be used for future marketing, such as Web casts and DVD mailings.

The campaign will be considered during the February meeting.



In other business:

Executive Director Brad Lofton said that the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) has committed to a project that will create turning lanes and a signal light at the intersection of U.S. 84 and Clay Road. The project is expected to improve safety for traffic traveling to and from the Buster Bassford Industrial Park and other businesses along Clay Road. Lofton said that the project should be complete by the end of 2012.

The Authority also discussed:

• An in-progress review from 2009. Lofton said that new and expanding industry resulted in $353 million in committed investments and 172 jobs added in Lowndes County;

• A company that provides services to local, state and federal government agencies. The prospect, currently referred to as Project Excel, is considering a site in Valdosta as its first choice and a site in Decatur County as its backup site. The company, which plans to create 440 jobs, wishes to have an Economic Development Agreement complete by Feb. 16;

• Rumors surrounding Roadway Trucking. Lofton emphasized that while the Roadway plant in Lake Park has done some downsizing, it is not closing; and

• A reception for the local Authorities.