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November 18, 2009

Grow Greater Dalton growing

By Charles Oliver

The Dalton-Whitfield Joint Development Authority’s budget could almost triple next year, thanks to an infusion of funds from the Grow Greater Dalton project.

The JDA’s board reviewed a preliminary 2010 budget Tuesday that calls for some $970,000 in spending, up from $350,000 this year. JDA chairman Chuck Dobbins said the budget anticipates the agency’s funding from Whitfield County will remain flat, at $157,250, and the funding from the city of Dalton will increase by about $30,000 to $187,250 as the city has pledged to help fund the Archway Program. The Archway Program University of Georgia initiative that helps communities identify their needs and find university system resources.

But Dobbins said the bulk of the new funding, some $600,000, will come from Grow Greater Dalton, a public-private partnership set up earlier this year to improve economic development in the Dalton area.

Grow Greater Dalton project director Leslie Hough said the group has raised about $4.1 million pledged from corporations, foundations, government and individuals and should reach its goal of $4.5 million by early December.

Dobbins said the additional money would be used to fund two new positions and two new programs at the JDA: an existing industry coordinator to help the agency work more closely with firms currently in the area and a small business/entrepreneur coordinator who would work to help new and growing firms overcome whatever obstacles they may face. Dobbins said JDA officials anticipate the small business/entrepreneur coordinator would work closely with the Downtown Dalton Development Authority.

Dobbins said the additional funds will also be used to market the area and boost the “I’m In” branding campaign the JDA unveiled last year.

Mike Babb, chairman of the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners, said the board will approve the JDA’s request for funding.

“We are pleased with the way things are going,” he said.

Babb said the board’s experience working with the JDA to bring a new plant from floorcovering maker IVC U.S. to the area was positive one. IVC announced in September that it would build its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Dalton at the county’s commercial park just off the South Dalton Bypass. IVC will spend about $70 million and the plant will create some 115 jobs.

“We’ll be looking for even more from (the JDA) next year,” Babb said.

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