On Friday, February 15th, a formal ground breaking ceremony for the all new Steeda Autosports World Headquarters was held on a 25 acre grassy field on what locals are calling 'Victory Lane'. Steeda received a very warm welcome when many state and local dignitaries and residents all joining in with the celebration and festivities. This new facility will be the site of the world's most advanced manufacturing facility dedicated to the Ford performance enthusiast today.
The completed site will include an all new 100,000 sq. ft. building that will take care of the office and manufacturing side of the business and will include the latest state-of-the-art machinery that will produce the best components possible. Outdoors, to take care of the vehicle dynamic side of the business will be a comprehensive vehicle dynamic testing facility that will feature:
- 1.2 mile road course test track
- Skid pad
- Slalom course
- Brake test area
The test track will also include a variety of road surfaces to aid in the development and prove out process for future Steeda vehicles and parts in terms of performance, noise, vibration and harshness. The nearby drag strip, South Georgia Motorsports Park, is a new, world-class facility that will be utilized for additional extensive vehicle testing and product evaluation.
In addition, this expansion provides for an exciting opportunity for Steeda Autosports to partner with Georgia Tech and Valdosta Technical Institute to take our manufacturing and engineering processes to the next level as we continually evolve and develop our products to always be the very best available in the market place.
The Valdosta Times provided extensive coverage of the groundbreaking and provided the following quotes and comments:
"What we are so excited about is the opportunity that Valdosta and Lowndes County have given us to develop the most advanced Ford performance manufacturing facility in the world," Dario Orlando said. "We want to thank the city and the state for the opportunity."
Orlando added that the facility will bring 100 jobs to the area and will employ students graduating from Valdosta Technical College, where there is already instruction offered in the operating software used by the company. The addition of Steeda to the Azalea East Industrial Park comes with a $10 million investment for the area.
"This is another wonderful triumph for Valdosta/Lowndes County," Industrial Authority Chairman, John Peeples, said. "Less than one year ago we were standing here saying 'This is going to be a reality,' and now it is a reality."
Mayor John J. Fretti added, "Today is a testament to innovation." Fretti said the relationship between Ford and Steeda will be merged with the people and the quality of life that has already been built in the city, which is the groundwork for success.
"I think you will realize in the years to come what a wise decision you've made," County Commission Chairman Rod Casey said just before the official groundbreaking. "We will do whatever we can to make you successful."
Breaking in early to life in Valdosta, Steeda will host an event for the Mustang Club of America during the second week in June, where all Ford Mustangs and performance enthusiasts are welcome to which is expected to attract more than 1,000 participants to the area.
Steeda - Building for the Future