LOWNDES COUNTY, Ga. (WCTV) – More development is coming to the Valdosta-Lowndes County area, as leaders announced a $50 million Atlanta Gas Light facility, bringing nearly 100 jobs.

“We don’t want people to just be able to live. We want them to be able to have a great quality of life – a career,” President and CEO of the Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority Niki Ogletree said.

Atlanta Gas Light is expected to open a liquified natural gas facility near the intersection of Highway 84 and Inner Perimeter Road, according to Ogletree.

Separately, the authority said a manufacturing company is bringing operations to the area, with 230 jobs expected. The name of the company cannot currently be released, but Ogletree said the business will occupy a manufacturing facility that is already built.

“It’s important as we’re looking at the different industries that may be interested in Valdosta and Lowndes County that we really focus on those that bring those high-paying jobs with great benefits,” Ogletree said.

Last year, multiple businesses began operations in the Valdosta-Lowndes area, according to Ogletree.

In January 2025, P&B Cold Storage opened a 200,000-square-foot facility, creating roughly 100 jobs. Amazon opened last November with more than 100 jobs, and Walmart opened a dairy processing center in December, bringing about 400 jobs.

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“Economic development is a team sport, by far,” Ogletree said. “We have to have those relationships with the city government, county government, as well as your local school systems, whether that be your postsecondary or even your K through 12 systems.”

To help with recruitment, Ogletree said the organization is constantly looking for more land to purchase. With many businesses moving to the area the past few years, she said they are now talking with private land owners as well.

Aside from high-paying jobs, the organization says it’s working to recruit companies that will also maintain a good fit for the community.

“So with regards to your utilities, your water, wastewater capacities, we take all of those things into consideration when we’re looking at recruiting different projects,” Ogletree said.

The CEO said recruiting large companies can take years at a time, but they are continuing to see interest in the area. “We have a number of projects in the pipeline and are working diligently every day to make them choose Valdosta-Lowndes County,” Ogletree said.

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