Valdosta State summit equips Early County to address workforce challenges

Beth Chandler Noland, Exec. Director, Blakely Early County Chamber of Commerce; Susanne Reynolds, Exec. Director, Development Authority of Early County; Dr. Shanice Richardson, CTAE Director at Early County High School and Development Authority Board Member; and Tammy Storey, Federal Programs Director with the Early County School System, represented Early County at Valdosta State University’s Workforce Development Summit.

Workforce development remains one of the most important factors influencing business investment and economic growth, especially in South Georgia. Valdosta State University’s Center for South Georgia Regional Impact hosted its 2026 Workforce Development Summit on July 16. The event brought together chamber executives, economic developers, educators, business leaders, elected officials and workforce professionals from across South Georgia to discuss practical solutions for strengthening Georgia’s workforce.

The summit focused on helping communities better understand the workforce trends that influence business location decisions while highlighting strategies to recruit, retain, and develop local talent. Sessions featured representatives from Kia Georgia, the Georgia Department of Labor, the Governor’s Office, the Georgia Student Finance Committee and nationally recognized workforce programs. Topics ranged from Georgia’s competitive workforce advantages and high-demand careers to apprenticeships, education partnerships and workforce navigation.

One of the keynote presentations was delivered by Gray Swoope of VisionFirst Advisors, who provided a site selector’s perspective on Georgia’s workforce landscape. Additional presentations highlighted successful workforce initiatives nationwide and explored how communities can better align education, training and industry to meet future labor demands.

For rural communities such as Early County, the summit reinforced an important message: workforce development is a community-wide responsibility. Economic development organizations, local governments, schools, colleges, employers, and nonprofit organizations all play a role in preparing residents for quality careers while creating an environment that attracts new investment.

“Every conversation and connection made at the Workforce Development Summit strengthens Early County’s ability to create new opportunities for residents,” said Susanne Reynolds, Director of the Development Authority of Early County. “Economic development is about more than recruiting companies— it’s about investing in people."

https://www.valdosta.edu/administration/advancement/sgri/

Published in the Early County News on July 22, 2026.