A Business Action Plan led by the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce

2006• Business Action Plan developed

by 72 leaders• 6 months, 11 meetings • $1.75 million goal

2007• Feasibility study completed in

February• Campaign Kick-Off in August• Campaign concluded in December:

$2.3 million!

Curtis Fowler, ChairmanJeff HansonWalter HobgoodWalt GillTim Jones David Durland

Paul NicholsTerri LupoJames McGaheeJeff FulpMike Godwin

2010 Oversight Committee

• 132 Shareholders

• 2 Oversight Committee meetings annually

• 2 Shareholders Meetings annually

• Quarterly IMPACT Action newsletters

97% collection rate in 2008 and 2009!

5 MAJOR INITIATIVES1. Targeted Business Expansion2. Entrepreneur & Small Business

Development3. Enhancement of Pro-Business

Environment4. Attraction of Amenity-Seeking Retirees5. Workforce Development & Education

1. Targeted Business Expansion

GOAL: Facilitate the creation of 1,000 new jobs for college and university graduates in Information Technology, Environmental Technology, Medical Services & Support, and other knowledge-based businesses by 2012.

PROGRESS in 2008-09: • Determined a benchmark for knowledge-

based jobs in existence on January 1, 2008

• Surveyed 300+ TBEC Businesses• 2009 data will be available September

2010

Targeted Business Expansion, continued

GOAL: Expand and enhance services to existing business and industry to assist them in developing their potential and in securing qualified employees.

(Overlaps goals of other initiatives.)

PROGRESS in 2008-09:• S.E.E.D.S. Center of South Georgia• Professional Consultants Program• Valdosta Networking Professionals• Inventors & Innovators Network• Guardian Bank Business Plan Competition• Lunch-n-Learn Series• IT Professionals Network• Metro In Motion Speaker Series

Targeted Business Expansion, continued

GOAL:Create a marketing outreach program to encourage young professionals to live and work in Valdosta-Lowndes County after completing their university or technical college education.

PROGRESS in 2008-09:• MetroOne established• 500 young professionals in database• 100 active members• Mentor-Protégé Program• Metro Valdosta Emerging Leaders Program• 13 professional development opportunities

Targeted Business Expansion

• 1,000 jobs• Existing business assistance• Young professionals

2. Entrepreneur and Small Business Development

GOAL: Enhance and strengthen the S.E.E.D.S. Center for entrepreneurial development. Serve 2,500 clients by 2012.

PROGRESS 2008-09:• 1,149 clients served in 2008 and 2009• 561 targeted direct mailing lists generated• 135 hours of Professional Consultation• Inventors & Innovators Network formed• Two Guardian Bank Business Plan Competition winners

announced• Added “Tools For Business” Web site portal• Added “First Research” Database of Industry specific

information• 5 Lunch-N-Learns

Entrepreneur & Small Business Development, cont.

GOAL: Determine the economic feasibility of creating a small business incubator for knowledge-based businesses within the S.E.E.D.S. Center.

PROGRESS:• Developing a business plan and a case for

support in 2010-11

Entrepreneur & Small Business Development

• S.E.E.D.S. Center• Incubator

3. Enhancement ofPro-Business Environment

GOAL: Host a regular forum among elected officials, education leaders and other economic development partners regarding business issues and initiatives.

PROGRESS in 2008-09:South Georgia Partnership for Regional Development (SGPRD) formed. Speakers:

1. Ken Stewart, Commissioner for Georgia Department of Economic Development

2. Mike Beatty, Commissioner for Georgia Department of Community Affairs

3. George Israel, President of Georgia Chamber of Commerce4. Mike Gaymon, President of Greater Columbus Chamber

Enhancement of Pro-Business Environment, cont.

GOAL: Advocate for pro-business permitting regulations and practices, and formalize a Valdosta-Lowndes County Rapid Response Team to respond to business and industry needs.

PROGRESS in 2008-09:• VALET (Valdosta And Lowndes Expansion

Team) meets quarterly• Finalized “No Wrong Door” resource guide• Began online version of resource guide

It’s all about partnerships!Industrial Authority SBDC VSU VTCAll local governments DCA DEcD Main StreetGeorgia Power Colquitt EMC SGRL Chamber

Enhancement of Pro-Business Environment

• SGPRD• VALET

4. Attraction of Amenity-Seeking

Retirees

GOAL: Develop and implement targeted national advertising for retiree recruitment and expand the marketing efforts of the Triple Crown Hometowns Program. Relocate 400 retiree households by 2012.

PROGRESS in 2008-09:• 126 retiree households relocated• Featured in Forever Young magazine• Featured in Retirement Lifestyles magazine• 175,584 hits on www.georgiaretire.com • Billboard on I-75• Featured on Golf Channel• Top 100 towns to relocate by

www.Relocate-America.com

PROGRESS, continued• Named “Top Four Retirement College Towns” by

Georgia Trend• Named “One of 11 Great Places to Retire in the

South” by Retirement Lifestyles• Profiled as “Top Undiscovered Retirement

Haven” in Where To Retire magazine• New Web site with more than 114,000

visitors/year

Attraction of Amenity-Seeking Retirees, continued

GOAL: Advocate for the development of amenities sought by amenity-seeking retirees, including but not limited to active adult communities and public recreation facilities.

PROGRESS in 2008-09:

• Partnered with Threatte Art and Civic Center,  Presbyterian Home & Retirement Community, Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, Valdosta Country Club and Fellowship Home at Brookside for retiree newcomer receptions

Attraction of Amenity-Seeking Retirees

• Relocated households• National attention• Advocacy for amenities

5. Workforce Development &

Education

GOAL: Establish a Workforce Development Task Force in cooperation with the business community, Valdosta State University, Valdosta Technical College and local school systems to clearly define workforce needs and to identify and recruit new sources of qualified labor.

PROGRESS:• To be created in 2011.

Workforce Development & Education, continued

GOAL: Establish a “Boot Camp” to develop better managers and supervisors. To serve 500 managers and supervisors between 2008-2012.

PROGRESS in 2008-09:• 201 managers and supervisors trained

Workforce Development & Education, continued

GOAL: Expand “World Class Employee Recognition Program” to improve work ethics.

PROGRESS in 2008-09:• 15 nominees in 2007• 22 nominees in 2008• 28 nominees in 2009

Workforce Development & Education, continued

GOAL: Partner with businesses, Valdosta State University, Valdosta Technical College and local school systems to expand internship opportunities to improve and enhance workforce development.

PROGRESS:• Roundtable discussion planned in 2010• Business plan developed for

implementation in 2010 and beyond

Workforce Development & Education, continued

GOAL:Encourage parents to become more involved with their children’s education. Reach 400 parents each year in their place of work with “Helping Your Child Succeed”.

PROGRESS in 2008-09:• 644 parents have experienced “Helping Your

Child Succeed”

Workforce Development & Education, continued

GOAL: An independent study will be conducted to determine the impact of school system consolidation on economic development and quality job growth with appropriate action taken once the study is completed.

PROGRESS in 2008-09:• Study completed in November 2008• School System Task Force made

recommendation to Chamber Board in December 2008

• Chamber Board voted unanimously to endorse school system unification

• CUEE formed in January 2009

Workforce Development & Education

• School System Study • Workforce Task Force• Boot Camp• World Class Employee Program • Internships• Reaching parents

Community Unification for Educational Excellence

• A semi-independent task force of the Chamber

• Their charge from the Chamber: Facilitate the unification of our public

school systems

Members

Leroy Butler, Chairman

Rusty Griffin, Vice ChairmanRuth Council, SecretaryJud Rackley, Treasurer/Chamber Rep.Johnny Ball Jack EdwardsWalter Hobgood Ronnie MathisGene Godfrey Tim CarrollJames Bridges Jack Edwards

Vision Statement

We see a community providing exceptional learning experiences for all students through one unified public school system.

Mission Statement

To unify our community for educational excellence, beginning with the unification of our two public school systems.

Guiding Principles

• We believe in our community.

• We believe that our community, unified in purpose, can accomplish any goal we set for ourselves.

• We believe a unified school system is the foundation for ongoing actions that will produce educational excellence.

Guiding Principles, cont.

• We believe that achieving educational excellence requires the unification of our public school systems.

• We believe that our community competes in a global economy, and our ability to compete is dependent upon demonstrating higher levels of academic achievement from a unified school system.

Guiding Principles, cont.

• We believe a unified public school system will achieve a more diverse learning experience for all students.

• We believe that quality of life, standards of living and career opportunities for future generations are directly linked to the quality of education our children receive.

Voter Survey• January 11-12, 2010• 300 registered voters in Valdosta• Conducted by POS, a national polling group

• 84% of survey respondents agreed with the statement saying, “Valdosta residents should decide whether or not to merge the school systems by voting on the issue in a referendum.”

Voter Survey, cont.

• 64% favored unification

• Support from African-Americans was 62% in favor and 32% opposed

• Support from whites was 65% in favor and 30% opposed

Voter Survey, cont.

• 69% believed that “unifying the school system will increase racial diversity, which better prepares students for the world outside Lowndes County.”

• 71% believed that “unifying the two school systems will help equalize the amount of school taxes paid by Valdosta residents and will provide residents with more education value for their taxes.”

Voter Survey, cont.

• 65% believed that “after two years of study, supporters of a unified school system say that results show that a merged school system will provide employers and colleges with more qualified applicants.”

• 58% believed that “having one school system will make it easier for the area to recruit new business and industry, bringing economic development to the area.”

Voter Survey, cont.

• 70% believed that “unifying the two school systems will allow the community to implement needed proven educational reforms while attracting new financial support for the school system from foundations and businesses focused on today’s competitive environment.”

• 77% agreed with the statement “schools in Valdosta and Lowndes County are about average in a state that is 48th in the country in the quality of education. That is simply not good enough.”

Voter Survey, cont.

• 75% agreed with the statement “a school with a racially diverse student population and faculty provides a better learning environment.”

• 61% agreed with the statement “a single, unified school system will provide a better education for students than two independent school systems that currently exist in Valdosta and Lowndes County.”

Voter Survey, cont.

The Chamber’s mission….

• 54% agreed with the statement “unifying the two school systems supports the creation of new and better jobs in the community.”

Confidence in the“Messengers”

While a ballot referendum on unification will engage groups at many levels of the community, Valdosta residents have a favorable view of several key stakeholder groups that will be at the forefront of the discussion.

Confidence in Messengers,Cont.

• 21% have a favorable view of CUEE while 9% do not.

• 69% of voters had a favorable view of the Valdosta Daily Times while 23% did not.

Confidence in Messengers,Cont.

• 65% of voters have a favorable view of the Lowndes County School Board while 8% do not.

• 59% of voters have a favorable view of the Valdosta City School Board while 24% did not.

Confidence in Messengers,Cont.

• 71% of voters have a favorable view of the Chamber while 11% ill-informed voters do not.

CUEE Timeline

March – August 2011Fund-Raising

March 2010 – May 2011Community Education

April – May 2011Petition Campaign (7,345)

Nov. 1, 2011Referendum

July 1, 2013

UNIFICATION!!!!

Talking Points

• What do you see as the key issues for City residents?

Talking Points

• What will motivate them to want to support unification?

Talking Points

• What are the key issues for County residents?

Talking Points

• What would motivate a County resident to support unification?

Talking Points

• How can we bring City and County leaders together to support a Unified Vision of educational reform and excellence?