Every community talks about workforce. The communities that will thrive in the future are those willing to invest in it.

Today, August 10, 2026, marks an important milestone for South Georgia as the WIN (Workforce Innovation Network) Regional College & Career Academy opens its doors to serve students from Valdosta City Schools and the Berrien, Clinch, Cook, Echols, and Lanier County school systems. It represents a regional commitment to preparing young people for careers in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, construction, hospitality, and other high-demand industries that continue to shape our economy.

While we celebrate this as an educational achievement, I see it as something even bigger—an economic development milestone.

We often describe economic development as a “team sport,” and the launch of the WIN Regional College and Career Academy is a perfect example of leaders from higher education—including Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, Coastal Pines Technical College, and Valdosta State University—joining forces with local industries, community leaders, chambers of commerce, and regional development authorities to create a strong workforce pipeline and open doors for students across our region.

The Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority is focused on attracting new industries and supporting existing ones to create high-paying jobs for future generations. We know that companies no longer consider communities solely based on location, available land, infrastructure, or tax incentives. At the top of their site requirement list is finding communities where they can find, develop, and retain talented employees. 

Economic development doesn’t end when a company announces a new facility or expansion. In many ways, that’s when the real work begins. Our responsibility is to ensure businesses have access to the skilled workforce they need not only today, but ten, twenty, and even thirty years from now.

The WIN Regional College and Career Academy is one of the most important investments we can make toward fulfilling that responsibility and represents a strong partnership between education and industry.

As the WIN Regional College and Career Academy expands, the career pathway options will not be created in isolation. They will be developed because employers have identified the skills they need most, now and in the future. Business leaders will shape curriculum, identify workforce gaps, and ensure students are learning the technical and professional skills that translate directly into successful careers.

Instead of waiting until students graduate high school to introduce them to career opportunities, the WIN Regional College and Career Academy allows them to begin earning industry-recognized credentials while still in school. They will gain hands-on experience, work alongside local employers, and graduate with skills that position them for immediate employment or continued education.

It’s a “win” for the students, employers, and the region.

WIN goes beyond the classroom by connecting students with local industries before graduation. We’re showing them they don’t have to leave South Georgia to find rewarding jobs with competitive wages and opportunities for advancement. We’re creating pathways that encourage our young people to build their futures right here in the communities that invested in them.

Keeping talent local is one of the smartest economic development strategies a region can pursue.

The success of WIN is also a testament to what can happen when communities work together.

As we celebrate the opening of the WIN Regional College and Career Academy, we are building a stronger workforce pipeline, stronger partnerships, and a stronger future for Valdosta-Lowndes County and the entire South Georgia region.

Niki Ogletree, President & CEO
Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority