Letica purchases manufacturing site

Published 6:15 am Thursday, November 19, 2015

VALDOSTA — A manufacturer will have a more permanent stake in the Lowndes County community.

The Valdosta Lowndes Development Authority voted to transfer property to Letica, a container manufacturer operating a plant in Lowndes County.

The transfer comes at the completion of Letica’s lease, which ends in December.

The terms of the lease allow Letica to purchase the 30 acres of leased property at the end of the lease period.

“They’ve performed all of their obligations,” said Steve Gupton, VLDA attorney.

The terms of the lease required the Valdosta Letica location to have 100 full-time employees after 24 months of operation and to invest at least $4 million to equip and construct the facility.

Letica is located at 2020 Steeda Way.

Stan Crance, existing industry coordinator, reported on two ongoing new industry projects, Project Gold and Project Max.

Project Gold involves a food production/processing company; it continues to progress, with the company in the final stages of looking for property.

The company has been considering Miller Business Park as a possible location.

The development agreement and lease agreement have reached an accord but have not been executed yet, said Gupton.

The project is estimated to have a $1.75 million investment and should create 10-20 jobs.

VLDA staff continues working on Project Max with the Georgia Department of Economic Development. The project involves a manufacturing company whose representatives visited Valdosta in October.

Andrea Schruijer, VLDA executive director, reported on marketing.

Schruijer has talked with two marketing firms and received proposals from them.

Schruijer has also talked to potential marketing interns from Valdosta State University.

Schruijer and Crance attended the SEMA auto show in Las Vegas, a large automotive speciality products trade show.

Schruijer also attended Consultant Connect and met with 16 site selection consultants.

Gretchen Quarterman spoke to the authority, inviting them to the South Georgia Growing Local Conference, Feb. 6, Pine Grove Middle School.

Dwayne Johnson also spoke to the authority, introducing his family and his new business, Bridgebuilder Education & Investments.

Stuart Taylor is a reporter for the Valdosta Daily Times.