The recently acquired Miller tract is one step closer to development after receiving a positive due diligence report during the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority regular session Tuesday.

ASA Engineering and Surveying, Inc. reported that the Miller tract has no recognized environmental conditions that would prevent development on the property. The due diligence report also covered issues such as the property’s impact on area endangered species, water and sewer capacity and zoning.

Rezoning for the Miller tract is to go before the planning commission on Nov. 30 and be heard at next month’s Valdosta City Council and Lowndes County Board of Commissioners regular meetings if approval is recommended.

In other business, Industrial Authority Executive Director Brad Lofton announced the new Industrial Authority Ambassador Board members. Members include Tetyana Ard from Lowndes High School, Isabel Celestino from Lowndes High School, Malcolm Warren from Georgia Christian, Taylor Pegs from Valwood, Cassie Gusolus from Southland Christian, Joshua Barcol from Southland Christian, Danielle Steedley from Open Bible and Ronnie Kerestus from Open Bible.

Authority member Roy Copeland asked why no students from Valdosta High School were included in this semester’s Ambassador Board. Lofton said that several attempts were made to include VHS, but the school did not respond.

Copeland said that he knows a list was circulated requesting that interested students apply, but someone must have “dropped the ball.” He said that he would follow up to see if any VHS students would like to join the board. The Ambassador Board is comprised of high school students who are interested in learning how the Industrial Authority recruits new businesses to the community.

Members are selected from among several applicants from public and private schools in the area. The selection is based on review of each candidate’s resume, essay and grade point average.

The first Ambassador Board was introduced during the 2009 spring semester.

During the meeting, the Industrial Authority also:

• Approved a taxable revenue bond for the Packaging Corporation of America expansion, a $225 million investment;

• Congratulated board members for raising $10,000 for the Heart Walk; and

• Discussed plans for this weekend’s brainstorming session at VSU’s Oak Street Parking Garage board room.

An executive session was also held to discuss the acquisition of real estate.