August 2019
South Georgia Insider
A Triple Win for South Georgia
South Georgia communities recently scored major economic victories. On Aug. 6, Governor Brian Kemp attended the official opening of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) South Georgia campus in Moultrie, Colquitt County. The governor then traveled to Thomasville for the Check-Mate ribbon-cutting. Two days later, Gov. Kemp announced that Arglass Yamamura, LLC, will build a manufacturing plant in Valdosta, Lowndes County.  
Approximately 700 people attended the ribbon-cutting for PCOM South Georgia. More than three years in the planning and construction process, the 75,000-square-foot facility is the culmination of a mission to bring more physicians to the region. READ MORE
With a $16 million investment, Check-Mate Industries is scheduled to create 230 jobs. According to Shelley Zorn, director of the Thomasville Payroll Development Authority, once the 230 employees are hired, the total annual payroll will represent $7.4 million.
Arglass Yamamura will invest $123 million to build its first U.S. glass container manufacturing facility and create more than 150 jobs in Valdosta, Lowndes County.

“I am extremely pleased to welcome Arglass Yamamura to Lowndes County and into our diverse group of industries,” said Bill Slaughter, chairman of the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners. “Creating quality jobs for our residents is a top priority for local officials. We know that Arglass Yamamura is committed to outstanding corporate citizenship as it becomes a major employer in our community.” READ MORE
Jim Glass New President at SRTC
James “Jim” Glass officially began his tenure as president of Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) on July 1.
 
Previously, Glass served as provost at SRTC. He began his postsecondary career as director of instruction at Albany Technical College in 1999. He also spent 13 years in secondary education as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal in the Albany area. READ MORE
Manufactured in South Georgia

Valdosta welcomes Corteva Agriscience to its manufacturing community. While Corteva Agriscience is a product of the 2017 Dow Chemical and DuPont merger, Valdosta has been home to a DuPont manufacturing facility for more than 20 years.

With a long history as a leader in the production of agricultural products, under the DuPont name, the Valdosta facility has experienced several growth phases including a 150,000-square-foot logistics center, which serves as a global distribution point for the company’s crop protection products. READ MORE

Growing up in the small town of Poulan, located in Worth County, Jimmy Parker dreamed of the day he would start his own business in the community where he was raised.

Always looking for a challenge, six years ago, Parker started Scales, Systems and Automation (SSA), with a few employees in a small building owned by his father-in-law. In the early days, SSA was focused primarily on calibrating and repairing various types of scales used in agriculture, transportation, and lab services.

"We've done a lot of work over the years in the cotton and peanut industries," says Parker. "Not just with calibrating scales but developing equipment that saves production time and cost." READ MORE
Covering South Georgia from manufacturing to rural prosperity and downtown revitalization to a taste of southern classics. Full magazine online at sgamag.com

The "South Georgia Insider" is a monthly e-newsletter that promotes the region's business climate, economic growth, and cultural visibility.

Submit company and community news, expanding or new industry announcements, job announcements and promotions, corporate awards, professional recognitions, and business related events. Submissions are accepted for individuals or businesses located in South Georgia. Email information and related photos to [email protected] .
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