VALDOSTA — Hunt Industries, Inc., is expanding its Valdosta location and with it, the local economy.

The Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority expects the expansion to bring about $6.7 million and 49 jobs to the local economy, said VLDA Executive Director Andrea Schruijer.

The VLDA used IMPLAN, an economic impact calculation software to calculate and break down the financial impact. According to IMPLAN, the Hunt Industries expansion will directly result in about $4.9 million and 35 jobs to the area on site.

Additionally, the expansion is expected to bring 14 jobs and $1.8 million indirectly through industrial suppliers as well as retail, food service, professional service and other business.

The VLDA approved a $30,000 incentive last week to transport 250 loads of excess dirt from a worksite at Westside Business Park to the Hunt Industries work site for Hunt Industries to use in its building expansion.