-- Valdosta, Ga. -- August 26, 2012 --

Valdosta Resident Mary Crane says "SPLOST does have my vote! I'll be voting yes on SPLOST."

For more than two decades the one cent sales tax known as SPLOST has gone directly to local projects. Valdosta's Crime Lab, upgrades to the County Jail and dozens of other projects all made possible with the cash collected from the tax.

With plans for a new library and auditorium built with SPLOST money in Valdosta's Five Points section, the tax certainly has the support of local business owners.. who welcome the attention.

Gracie Douglas owns Whisk Organic Market in Five Points. She says "I think over the past couple of years its been centered over in the mall area and downtown as well which I think is great because downtown is growing and thriving, but I also think it would be great if the north side, Five Points, was doing just as well as those areas."

Mary Crane went on to say "I think it would be great, I really do. I think it would be good for the community."

Since 1987 SPLOST money has built nearly 50 projects in Lowndes County and Valdosta valued at roughly $100 million dollars. Come November 6th voters will have the chance to keep the tax in place or remove it. With the recent T-SPLOST transportation tax being voted down some may opt to do the same with SPLOST... Only time will tell.

If SPLOST passes in November it will be the seventh time it has appeared on the ballot.