Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority Joins Forces with World Trade Center Savannah

July 24, 2015

World Trade Center Savannah announced Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority (VLCDA) has become an investor partner.

Regional partnerships such as the one with the VLCDA are seen as an essential part of WTCSav’s mission to help create jobs and attract investment on an international level.

The Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority is among fourteen development authorities to partner with WTCSav.

World Trade Center Savannah will work with the VLCDA to identify areas of potential international growth with the county’s existing industries and to identify opportunities for foreign direct investment.

“Lowndes County is no stranger to international trade development,” said Andrea Schruijer, Executive Director of VLCDA. “Being a part of WTCSav will provide our community a new doorway to the world. We have long been proponents of having a unified front as we welcome international interests to our region.

“We believe that WTCSav will allow all interests in our region access to the world and at the same time allow the world access to Valdosta.”

President and Chief Executive Officer of World Trade Center Savannah Trip Tollison said the partnership offers exciting opportunities.

“We are very excited about partnering with the Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority. We licensed the World Trade Center Savannah in 2011 to serve as a meaningful and effective international economic development tool.” said Tollison.

World Trade Center Savannah offers a professional, proactive international strategy to develop and optimize international networks and opportunities for measurable business results that drive economic growth in the region.

World Trade Center Savannah has identified three objectives:

• Help businesses grow internationally
• Identify more foreign direct investment opportunities
• Generate revenue to support these activities

Governed by a regional board, WTCSav offers information and services for companies already doing business internationally or for those who wish to reach international markets. World Trade Center Savannah offers a strategic approach through services including inbound and outbound trade missions, trade services, global education programs, personalized international training, access to country specific data, customized in-depth research, and the U.S. Foreign Trade Zone program.

As a part of the World Trade Centers Association, WTCSav is connected to more than 300 world trade centers in nearly 100 countries and more than one million associated businesses.

For more information visit www.wtcsavannah.org.

About Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority

The Development Authority is an organization that oversees industrial and economic development in Valdosta and Lowndes County. In 1960 the Authority was formed as an amendment to the Georgia State Constitution. The mission of the Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority is to create an environment to attract new industry and promote the growth of existing industry to drive job creation and capital investment.