VALDOSTA, GA - News release from Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce

Georgia Governor Nathan Deal will speak at a Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber breakfast on April 25.

The event, sponsored by Packaging Corporation of America and co-hosted by Valdosta State University will be held from 7-8:30 a.m. at VSU’s University Center.

Gov. Deal will provide attendees with highlights from the 2012 Legislative Session. Joining the Gov. will be Sen. Tim Golden and Reps. Ellis Black, Amy Carter, and Jason Shaw.

LOWNDES COUNTY, GA - The Georgia Department of Labor announced Friday that the preliminary unemployment rate in Southwest Georgia rose to 9.6 percent in January, up three-tenths of a percentage point from a revised 9.3 percent in December.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined for the sixth month in a row to 9.2 percent in January, the lowest rate since March of 2009 when it was 9.1 percent.

The January unemployment rate for Lowndes County was 9.1 percent.

Here is the full press release from the Georgia Department of Labor

VALDOSTA, GA - News release from Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce

Now is the time for entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs with a great idea for a business to enter the 2012 competition for a chance to win $15,000 in start-up capital provided by Guardian Bank and a prize package of in-kind services and products donated by members of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce.