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November 2, 2009

Discussion focuses on making Dalton "cool"

Mark Millican

What would it take to make Dalton a “cool” place to live for young professionals?

That was the question batted around by three dozen community members on Monday at Dalton State College. The discussion, the third and final in a series, was in response to a book by Rebecca Ryan titled “Live First, Work Second.”

Led by Dalton school superintendent Jim Hawkins, the group broke into seven “index groups” — denoted by the book to gauge coolness — to see how Dalton rates in vitality, earning, learning, social capital, cost of lifestyle, after hours and around town.

“You don’t have to be big to be a cool city,” Hawkins said. But some who spoke mentioned big-city attributes such as an aquarium, a larger college and something to draw young people to the downtown area like more entertainment, parks and open-air restaurants.

Members of three of the groups — after hours, earning and social capital — raised their hands when Hawkins asked if they believed their topic was a primary focus for future study of how to attract young professionals and keep them here. But on the basis of applause, “earning” didn’t register a handclap outside its own group, and “social capital” only gained a smattering of applause. “After hours” was the hands-down consensus for drawing young professionals to the Dalton area.

“Young talent want places to go, things to do, and ways to recharge their batteries,” Ryan writes. “Communities with a diverse array of after hours spots score well with young talent.”

Dalton seems to fall short in that area, according to people at the “after hours” table.

“There’s not enough for young people to do,” Terry Tomasello said that her group concluded.

John Davies believed the exercise held promise.

“There are a lot of good ideas from well-intentioned people here,” he noted. “I hope they appreciate what people want to see in this town. But what people (already) in the town want to see may be two different things.”

Davies was asked what could make a difference.

“I’d like to see a bigger college with more students and sports teams,” he said, “and a partnership with the (Northwest Georgia) trade center ... college kids can keep restaurants open.”

Lori McDaniel said the discussion sounded familiar.

“I see this information working hand-in-hand with the Archway program,” she said. “I’m hearing some of the same things.”

The Archway Partnership — a University of Georgia program linking higher education resources to economic and community development — saw Dalton-Whitfield become its eighth “portal community” recently. It will work with the Grow Greater Dalton initiative.

Ty Ross represented Dalton in his new role as city administrator.

“I see a greater focus coming to this issue (of drawing young people),” he said. “The next step is the generating of ideas through young people.”

Ross mentioned the “Live-Work-Play” link on the city’s Web site (www.cityofdalton-ga.gov) and a recent city survey. He said a “more focused survey” might be more useful with the momentum that is building around the book’s discussion.

“We’re actually already doing a lot — United Way has its Young Leaders program, (and we have) Leadership Dalton-Whitfield through the Chamber (of Commerce) — there’s a good representation of those people in the room today,” he said.

Hawkins urged the group to “be purposeful about getting young, professional voices to the table.” He recommended Ryan’s Web site associated with her book, www.nextgenerationconsulting.com.









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