Chamber Board member Baha Zeidan had the opportunity to showcase his healthcare-related business, Azalea Health Innovations, while Gov. Nathan Deal was in Valdosta last Friday. During the Governor’s visit community leaders emphasized the strategic importance of funding for the new VSU Health Sciences Building on North Campus, across from SGMC. Pictured are Zeidan, Chamber president Myrna Ballard and Gov. Deal.

With buzz about the possibility of a new state-of-the art Health Sciences and Business Administration facility at VSU's North Campus, the future of our local economy really does look bright and exciting!

Back in 2004, Georgia Tech completed an analysis of business clusters that had high-growth potential in our community. From this research, the Chamber's Smart Community Initiative: Opportunity Central was born. This initiative focuses on faciliating the growth of jobs in the Environmental Technology, Information Technology and Medical Services and Support Sectors. Seven years later, it still seems to be a perfect fit!

A new Health Sciences and Business Administration building and a partnership with our regional medical center and other institutions of higher education could have a tremendous impact, not only on our community, but our entire region. What an exciting time!