Broadband on the table @ VLCIA 2013-02-19



Internet speed and access (appearing as Broadband)
played a starring role at the 19 February 2013 meeting of the

Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority (VLCIA),
with a surprise cameo by Lowndes County Commission Chairman
Bill Slaughter (appearing as himself)
and a bravura performance by Angela Crance of Wiregrass Tech,
with a strong supporting role by VLCIA Chairman Roy Copeland,
and Mary Gooding standing in for VSU.
Internet access (as "telecommunications infrastructure")
came up in Project Manager Allan Ricketts' report as a requirement for

a Fortune 500 customer service operation
and
for a

National health care service provider,
both considering locating here,
also as
bandwidth,
as a requirement for
jobs.
That was the main theme of

Executive Director Andrea Schruijer's report,
especially in rural parts of our county,

especially for a home-based call center.
Even Rotary Clubs
need broadband.

VLCIA is also helping find potential sites for several

utility-scale photovoltaic solar installations.

The Industrial Authority Board was down to three members, barely a quorum:
Mary Gooding, Chairman Roy Copeland, and Tom Call.
Whereabouts of Norman Bennett and Jerry Jennett were undetermined.
I can't complain; I was in bed with a sinus infection.

Here's the

agenda (such as it is), with links to the videos and some notes,
often in separate posts.

Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority

Agenda

Tuesday, February 19, 2013 5:30 p.m.

Industrial Authority Conference Room

2110 N. Patterson Street

General Business

Before the meeting,

Gretchen and Bill discussed videoing at Rotary.


Minutes

  • Regular Meeting, January 15, 2013


Financial

  • Review Compiled Balance Sheet and Income Statements for January 2013


Public Relations & Marketing Update-Meghan Duke

Ad for Georgia Trend March issue, partnering with Valdosta, on quality of life.
They're

going to the Bird Supper with Georgia Power.
Also adapting their website for mobile use.
Andrea Schruijer added

that they were drilling down to find specific industries to target.


Existing Industry/Project Report-Allan Ricketts


Business/Industrial Park Update- Allan Ricketts

Miller and Westside Business Parks have new logo on their signs
and silk fencing from renovations has been removed.


Executive Director's Report- Andrea Schruijer

She had one theme: Internet broadband speed and access;
see

separate post.

Lowndes County Chairman

Bill Slaughter remarked that broadband is:
"one of the number one issues";
see

separate post.


Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Special Assistant to the President Angela Crance
said broadband is a top priority for Wiregrass;
see

separate post.

Mary Gooding spoke up for VSU, saying
"this is a huge strategic initiative for our community";
see

separate post.

Unfortunately, Andrea Schruijer then made clear that much of what
had been said wasn't heard;
see

separate post.


Attorney Report

Lease assignment from American Drill Bit to NJT, and purchase of
4.84 acres in Perimeter East Industrial Park.
Board unanimously approved.
He also talked about

ad valorem taxes and bills.

Citizens to Be Heard


Gretchen Quarterman said
"I'm super-excited about the whole broadband thing",
warned them about HB 282 which would prohibit municipal Internet,
and announced the South Georgia Growing Local Conference will be
in Lowndes County next January;
see

separate post.


Adjourn General Meeting

Mission of the Valdosta Lowndes County Industrial Authority is to

lead economic development in our community by supporting existing industries

recruiting industries through capitalizing on opportunities for collaboration.

Here's

a video playlist
of just the broadband Internet parts of the meeting:

And here's

a video playlist
of the entire meeting:


Broadband on the table

Regular Meeting, Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority (VLCIA),

Norman Bennett, Tom Call, Roy Copeland, Chairman, Mary Gooding, Jerry Jennett,
Andrea Schruijer, Executive Director, J. Stephen Gupton, Attorney, Tom Davis, CPA, Allan Ricketts, Project Manager,S. Meghan Duke, Public Relations & Marketing Manager, Lu Williams, Operations Manager,

Video by Gretchen Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE), Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 19 February 2013.

-jsq