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Industry keeps ‘grrrowing’ Malynda Dorsey VALDOSTA — Today’s industry announcement, hosted by the Valdosta-Lowndes County Airport and Industrial Authorities at the General Aviation Terminal of the Valdosta Regional Airport, will introduce Lowndes County’s first aircraft manufacturer, a $3.5 million investment that is expected to bring explosive economic growth to the community. The keynote speaker, Heidi Green, deputy commissioner of the Global Commerce Division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, will speak about the honor that acquiring Tiger Aircraft Manufacturing of True Flight Aerospace will bring to Lowndes County, as well as Georgia. Tiger Aircraft Manufacturing, known for the Tiger, which is the flag ship of the Grumman American series family light aircraft, will begin construction of a 60,000 square foot facility in Valdosta within the next few weeks. Company assets are in the process of relocating from Martinsburg, W.Va. to a temporary facility at the Valdosta-Lowndes County Regional Airport until the construction of the new facility is complete. “The Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority has targeted the aviation industry as a sector for recruitment,” Industrial Authority Executive Director Brad Lofton said. “This new industry will bring up to 125 new jobs to the community, with wages that double the average manufacturing industry wages in Lowndes County. Airport Authority Chairman Joe Prater described the acquisition of the manufacturing company as “huge”. “There were several states vying for this industry,” Prater said. Both Lofton and Prater agreed that the joint efforts of the city, county and state made everything possible. They also recognized Michelle Shaw, the regional project manager of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, for going out of her way to help obtain the manufacturer. “If the state had not have committed its dollars, it would not have happened,” Prater said. “Georgia’s aerospace industry has gotten even stronger with this great commitment from True Flight,” Perdue said. “This year our state is celebrating 100 years of aviation and I am proud to welcome the new manufacturer of Tiger Aircraft to our state.” The announcement and reception will also feature Valdosta Mayor John Fretti, Lowndes County Commission Chairman Rod Casey and other elected officials and dignitaries. |
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