​VALDOSTA, GA – The Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce held an unveiling party last night to honor the individuals and companies who supported the Chamber’s “Investing For The Next Century” capital campaign in 2015. The campaign raised nearly $600,000 to make improvements to the Barber House and to help support the SEEDS Business Resource Center.

Guests were treated to a candlelight buffet provided by Covington’s Catering as more than 100 donors toured the house. Carla Penny, Chairman of the Barber Trust Advisory Board, welcomed the group and invited them to witness the improvements and celebratory plaques denoting their investment. Improvements included: newly remodeled bathrooms, a new roof, exterior paint, a new website for the SEEDS Business Resource Center and funds for the Business Incubator Study. Work on the Barber House is fifty percent complete, with more interior work and landscaping left to be done.

In addition to the 69 name plaques, were portraits of two local business leaders. Stifel commissioned a portrait honoring Johnny B. Lastinger, former Executive Vice President of the Chamber and founder of Valdosta Magazine and the W.P. “Billy” Langdale Foundation made a generous donation to the Chamber honoring its namesake. Members of the W.P. Langdale family were present to unveil the portrait, which “will hang in the Barber House as long as it stands,” said James McGahee, Chamber Board member.

The Barber House is on the National Register of Historic Places and is open to the public for complimentary tours Monday through Friday.

VALDOSTA, GA – The Valdosta- Lowndes Chamber of Commerce co-hosted the 2016 Meet the Candidates event last night along with the HomeBuilders Association of South Georgia and the Valdosta Board of REALTORS®.

Candidates running for office in the upcoming general election had the opportunity to share their platforms with over 150 in attendance at Mathis City Auditorium. The evening began with a “meet and greet” where voters could pick up t-shirts, yard signs, and other promotional materials for the candidate or candidates of their choice.

Members of the community were encouraged to vote in the upcoming election. Registration was made easy and available, for those not already registered, at the Board of Elections table before and after the program.

Meet The Candidates is sponsored by the Chamber’s President's Partners. Media sponsors include: The Valdosta Daily Times and Talk 92.1.
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Please remember, Election Day is Tuesday, November 8, early voting is October 17- November 4, and the last day to register to vote in the November elections is October 11.

​VALDOSTA, GA- The Chamber Ambassadors held a Ribbon Cutting ceremony for Park Place by McLane, recently.

Park Place by McLane is a new business to the Valdosta area; however the owner/operators of the facility, the McLane family, have been serving the Valdosta- Lowndes community for over 80 years. The space is open to rent for events such as a gathering after celebrating a loved one, baby or bridal showers, birthday events and more. Park Place partners with Covington’s as a caterer, but clients are welcome to provide their own “family favorites” as the venue offers a full kitchen.

“Built in 1906, the Park Place has been beautifully refurbished as a gathering and events venue,” said Catherine Nordin of Park Place by McLane. “We hope we have thought of everything to make your occasion special.”

For more information about a particular gathering, or for more information regarding the venue, please call (229) 242- 5544 or visit them at 108 West Park Avenue Valdosta.

​VALDOSTA, GA- The Chamber Ambassadors held a Ribbon Cutting ceremony for Ben’s Tire and Auto Repair, recently.

Ben’s Tire and Auto Repair is a thriving business in Valdosta. Owner, Ben Neal has been in the auto repair industry since his early twenties, and has served the people of Lowndes County for over 20 years. Other businesses in the area have similar services, but Neal says their “honest, friendly, reliable service” is what sets them apart.

At the new location, they will now be a Michelin and BF Goodrich dealer, while still selling all major brands of tires. Ben’s Tire and Auto repair will now have more space for customers and bays for servicing vehicles.

Recently becoming a member of the Chamber, Neal says he and his wife look forward to the “possible networking opportunities that lie ahead.”

For more information about Ben’s Tire and Auto Repair, visit them at 2183 N. Ashley Street, or give them a call at 229-242-8777.

​VALDOSTA, GA- The Chamber Ambassadors recognized Comfort Suites Valdosta Mall as the Leading Business of the Week this week.

Comfort Suites has all the essentials and more when it comes to lodging needs. A member of the Williams Investment Company out of South Georgia, Comfort Suites is a multi-time Choice Hotels Gold Award winner and among the highest-rated hotels in Valdosta. Being near the Valdosta Mall, Comfort Suites is only a short distance from main event locations and attractions around town.

In addition to a great location, Comfort Suites excels in providing hospitality and customer satisfaction. The hotel holds a welcome reception every Monday-Thursday, offering complimentary refreshments to guests.

“We get many, many referrals from Chamber members and through the Chamber’s website,” said Jordan Parker, Assistant General Manager of Comfort Suites. “I think our Chamber is very progressive and deeply involved in the success of our community.”

For more information about Comfort Suites Valdosta, call (229) 249-8880, or visit them at 1332 N. St. Augustine Road.

The Leading Business of the Week program is designed to recognize members who have partnered with the Chamber for at least five years.  The 2016 Leading Business of the Week program is proudly sponsored by Ashley’s Business Solutions. 

VALDOSTA, GA- The Chamber Ambassadors honored Comfort Keepers as Leading Business of the Week this week.

Comfort Keepers provides in-home care services to seniors in Valdosta, Georgia and the surrounding areas.  Since the Valdosta branch opened in 2009, owners Scott and Lisa Register have established industry leading standards of care.

The business works with doctors, hospitals, and other organizations in the area in order to provide top care for their clients. Comfort Keepers says their caregivers “engage clients as they care for them, enhancing their quality of life physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially.”  They soon plan to introduce a system that will allow their patients to video chat with family members that live out of town.

“We at Comfort Keepers believe that our Chamber is a vital part of our community and its positive growth,” Lisa Register said. The Chamber having “different programs available for small businesses to participate in has definitely contributed to our growth!”

For more information about Comfort Keepers, call (229) 241-0002, or visit them at 3470 North Valdosta Road, Suite F.
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The Leading Business of the Week program is designed to recognize members who have partnered with the Chamber for at least five years.  The 2016 Leading Business of the Week program is proudly sponsored by Ashley’s Business Solutions.  

VALDOSTA, GA – The Chamber Ambassadors recognized Jim Hinton Oil Company as the Leading Business of the Week, recently.

Jim Hinton Oil Company is a petroleum bulk station that has serviced the wholesale fuel needs of the Valdosta area for over 40 years. They now supply oil to retail outlets in addition to some commercial, agricultural, and governmental agencies.

Technological innovation is becoming a part of their success. They are able to monitor fuel inventories in many locations which allows them to manage fuel for their customers. In the coming months, they plan to install computers in the company’s trucks to help keep track of delivery timing.

The Chamber has “kept us advised of many issues that affect our business,” said Stephanie Hinton of Jim Hinton Oil Company. “It is a great asset to help promote current businesses as well as attract new ones to the area.”

For more information about Jim Hinton Oil Company, call 229-242-1800 or visit them at 1407 West Hill Ave, Suite O.
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The Leading Business of the Week program is designed to recognize members who have partnered with the Chamber for at least five years.  The 2016 Leading Business of the Week program is proudly sponsored by Ashley’s Business Solutions.