Local Information

Health:
Lowndes County contains two hospitals which offer a total of 359 beds. There is one psychiatric hospital with 70 beds, and five nursing homes in the area. The city of Valdosta and Lowndes County also boasts 125 M.D.'s and 34 dentists and South GA Medical Center

Education:
Lowndes County offers nine county public schools with 588 teachers and over 9,000 students. There are also nine city public schools with 456 teachers and 7000 students. Thirteen area private
schools add 1,151 students. In addition, Valdosta State University, the center of higher education in South Georgia, boasts an enrollment of
over nine thousand students. Valdosta State University / Valdosta Technical College / City Schools /County Schools

Commercial Services:
The Valdosta Daily Times (244-1880) is the local newspaper, and other local publications include the Azalea City News and Valdosta Magazine. Valdosta also has one TV station and nine local radio stations. Valdosta Daily Times

Financial Facilities:
There are three local banks and seven branch banks, as well as one S&L. 

Tourism and Retail Trade:
Valdosta is the trade center for a ten-county area. In 1999, Lowndes County retail sales alone were $1,076,280,000. Valdosta also serves as a major stop-over point for tourists traveling Interstate 75, with more than three thousand motel rooms and more than one hundred and fifty restaurants in Lowndes County. Chamber of Commerce

Agriculture:
The major agricultural crops are bright leaf tobacco, truck crops, corn, hay, soy beans, peaches, and pecans. Timber and pulpwood are plentiful. Beef cattle production is also predominant. 
 

Top 10 employers of the area:
Moody Air Force Base (Military): 4,700 
South Georgia Medical Center (Hospital): 2,300 
Lowndes County School System (Education): 1,269 
Valdosta State University (Education): 1,204 
Valdosta City School System (Education): 983 
Convergys Corp.(Call Center): 793
City of Valdosta (Government): 773
Lowe's Distribution Center (Distribution): 555
Lowndes County (Government): 530
Roadway Express (Transport): 500
 

Recreation

Facilities:
28 tennis courts, 20 parks, 3 golf courses, 5 swimming pools, 2 country clubs, 9 recreational parks, 18 "mini" parks, and 30 public athletic facilities. 

State Parks:
Reed Bingham State Park, with swimming, fishing, camping, water skiing, motor boating, and nature trails. 

Public Lake/River:
Alapaha River has fishing and canoeing. Little River has swimming, fishing, camping, water skiing and motor boating. Withlacoochee River has fishing and canoeing. 

Yearly Events:
Valdosta Garden Club's Antique Show, Winnersville Classic, Crescent Center Garden Club Camellia Show, Junior Service League's Christmas Arts & Crafts Show, Jack Oliver Open Golf Tournament, Triple Crown Softball Classic, and the Arts Festival